The choked sewage drains at Fenner Colony here have raised health concerns among the 80 families residing in the area.
The blockages in the drains have not been cleared for more than two months now, and the residents face the risk of contracting diseases, they said.
“During extension of the Madurai-Theni Hghway, debris blocked the sewage drains. Since then, we have been requesting the Corporation authorities to clear the blockages, but in vain,” said E. Murugan, president of Fenner Colony Residents Welfare Association, on Sunday.
“The entire colony is stinking. The mosquito menace has increased,” said Selvi Prabhakar, a resident.
“There are 12 manholes between Virattipathu and Fenner Colony. The Corporation employees clean manholes till Virattipathu, but do not come here. Even if they come here, they leave stating that they will return soon with some other machinery required,” claimed J. Daniel John, president of residents association of an apartment complex at the colony.
The residents are even afraid to step out of their houses for walking and letting their children play outside. “We cannot even open the balcony of our home due to the stench and the mosquito menace. We have stopped letting our children play outside,” complained S.N. Vijayalakshmi, a resident.
“The borewells have been contaminated with sewage. If the official apathy persists, we might have to resort to road roko,” said T. Deva, another resident.
S. Rajendran, councillor of Ward 22, said that the Corporation has already initiated steps to clear the blockages.
A.E. Kandhappan, an Assistant Engineer of the Corporation, said, “We are looking for a permanent solution. The works were initiated last week and we have cleared four manholes so far between Virattipathu and Fenner Colony. We will probably complete works by next week.”
The residents also complained that there was no drinking water supply from the Corporation and works to complete a pumping station remained incomplete for more than a year. There was no bus stop in the colony, and they had to walk to Virattipathu to board buses, they claimed. Mr. Rajendran said the works were put on hold due to Lok Sabha elections and the pumping station would become functional in another two weeks. A proposal for a bus stop had been sent to the Corporation, he added.
