West Ponnagaram’s stormwater drain located right behind the large expanse of Arapalayam bus stand is a ‘sight to behold.’
Colourful plastic bags have taken over the drain, forming a solid road-like layer. It is hard to find trickling drainage water here as the plastic bags stretching over an entire kilometre leave no clean spot.
The residents of West Ponnagaram Second Street in ward 14 say that the channel remains untouched for 20 years now. “Countless number of councillors, Commissioners, Members of Legislative Assembly and Corporation officials have visited the ward but no action has been taken. Occasionally, a cleaning team will superficially try to remove the garbage but it too will give up and go,” says K. Pandi, a resident of over 40 years. The current problem is caused by indiscriminate dumping of waste by residents as there is no door-to-door collection of garbage, adds Mr. Pandi.
The stormwater drain is a cesspool of diseases. Residents frequently visit the local Urban Primary Health Centre and Government Rajaji Hospital based on the severity of the infection, says A. Muniamma, a resident.
Another major problem is a flimsy wooden bridge temporarily placed to reach Arapalayam bus stand quickly. The bridge cuts travel time by about eight walking minutes but is unsafe. Every day, students from St. Britto Higher Secondary School and Holy Family Girls’ Higher Secondary School use the path as a shortcut.
At night, residents of West Ponnagaram Third Street allege that thieves use this bridge to cross over and escape. At least three residents have slipped and fallen into the drain in the past one year, says P. Prema, a resident.
Despite such issues, the Corporation has not taken any notice of it, she says.
The residents made a representation to MLA P. T. R. Palanivel Thiagarajan, who has submitted a complaint to the Corporation Commissioner along with photographs seeking an alternative route for residents.
A senior official from handling matters related to Zone 1 says that a work order has been issued for cleaning the stormwater drain.
Work will begin in two weeks, he says. He adds that encroachments will also be removed.
