For several residents of Ward 7, which includes areas in and around Edayarpalayam, it is the presence and not absence of drainage that is turning out to be an everyday problem as it is either damaged or clogged due to the growth of bushes and dumped waste.
Anna Nagar resident S. Manikandan says that the open drains were constructed over 15 years ago and is narrow. Coimbatore Corporation’s immediate priority should be to provide new drains and also underground drainage in all localities.
The clogged drains have resulted in residents suffering odour, rodents and mosquitoes, complains Neeliamman Nagar Fourth Street resident L. Anandan.
Until the Corporation constructs drains, it should at least ensure that the existing sewers are regularly cleaned. But that is easier said than done because the Ward has only one conservancy worker to clean drains, rues councillor K. Chinnasamy.
The inadequacy of workers is another problem that reflects in the collection of wastes. The residents are left with only a few workers for door-to-door collection of wastes. Mr. Chinnasamy says he has asked for more workers and the officials have responded positively.
Adding to the problem of poor collection of wastes is the absence of garbage bins. The residents are forced to dump wastes on roads, in drains and vacant plots. The wastes have attracted dogs.
The Ward needs 30 more bins and the councillor has requested the civic officials to provide it. It has nearly 30 bins at present.
In places such as Anbu Nagar, the Corporation has not provided roads, complains resident A.K.A. Menon. The last time the residents there used good roads was more than a decade ago. One area where the Ward scores a positive point is on the water supply front, as residents get water once in seven or eight days. The supply will increase once Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board replaces the drinking water supply lines.
The other needs of the residents include street lights and park. The councillor says that developing new parks is difficult as reserve sites are few in the ward.
Common photo caption:
Basic needs: Bins to prevent littering and new drains rank high on the residents’ demand list.
