Residents of Bharathi Colony, Lal Bhadur Colony, Sringar Nagar, Bhurani Colony, Rajagopal Layout, Gopal Nagar and a few other areas have written to the State Government seeking removal of encroachment in a water channel.
The residents had complained that the channel width had been reduced due to encroachment. The reduction in the channel’s width to about five feet had prevented the flow of sewage, especially beneath the culvert that was on Lal Bahadur Road, which connected the area with Gopal Nagar.
Lal Bahadur Colony resident and a member of the residents’ welfare association Palanisamy said that the channel that used to carry water from FCI warehouse locality in Ganapathy had come under encroachment over a period of time with the residents building compound walls and erecting other structures.
The area Councillor P.K. Rajendran said that years of neglect had led to the encroachment. Thirty years ago, the channel used to carry water from the north, pass through the locality, cross the Avinashi Road near Shanti cinema and proceed south.
He added that the Revenue Department had tried to remove encroachment on the channel bunds by issuing eviction notices to those who had constructed walls and buildings and put up temporary structures. But thereafter nothing much happened in that the Department did not initiate follow-up action.
Sources in the Revenue Department said that they were looking into the issue and would initiate further action.
Meanwhile, the residents also complained that the roads in the area were full of potholes as the Corporation last constructed roads some 15 years ago. Mr. Palanisamy said that now the Corporation delayed the construction of the roads by saying that it would take up the road works after completing the underground drainage work.
The ward Councillor Mr. Rajendran said that by January 15, the civic body would undertake the UGD works and thereafter repair the roads, for there was no point in laying the roads and then taking up the UGD works.
He said that a week ago, Mayor S.M. Velusamy had laid the foundation for roads at Rs. 67.50 lakh in the area.
