The romanticised, old-worldly charm of Sellur includes fond memories of a tree-lined tank; glistening water flowing into the Vaigai and quaint houses along the streets for J. Maheswari of Ahimsapuram (ward 40). Narrating the tales of trouble, “All has changed,” she says with a sigh.
Her ward is located in the intersection between Narimedu and Sellur, thus falling under both Zone 1 and 2 of the Madurai Corporation. A relatively small ward, it stretches over an area of 0.7 square kilometres, has 18 streets and 1814 property tax assessees. There are 31,837 voters. Several of them are dissatisfied, says Maheswari.
“This road is a dumpyard and has remained so for about 5-6 years now,” she says, speaking of second street, Kamaraj Salai. The road is lined with clusters of construction debris, plastic waste and rotten garbage. It’s length is about 50 feet and it leads to kudirai palam as it is known among residents. The bridge is built over a stormwater drain, which is now filled with sewage. It is not uncommon to step on faeces, here. Glass shards are aplenty and can cause severe damage to those who walk along the stretch. Residents like Maheswari have learnt to manoeuvre along this stretch. “I’m always aware of where my footsteps are placed. Walking in the area is a hazard to everyone’s health,” she says.
Maheswari is greeted by other residents. They also say that the stench along the road is especially terrible during monsoon season. Mosquito menace is high due to the stagnant drain.
According to residents, the underground drainage system in the area is a joke. “Sewage is let out into all nearby waterbodies. Even drinking water pumps need to be pumped for two hours to ensure that sewage is not mixed,” says M. Annabakkiam, a resident of Jeeva Road. She has been a resident of the ward for 20 years now. She receives water once in four days. Her toilet is clogged due to poor UGD mechanism. “The young girls in our house are unable to use the toilets. Despite having the Vaigai river and the Sellur tank close by, why do we not get water,” she asks.
She says that she has approached the Corporation, the former councillor and even some functionaries of political parties to resolve the issue. All she has received are empty promises.
L. Arundathi, the Coordinator of Sellur Self-Help Group Federation, says that the roads are very bad. Several leaders of SHGs complain about badly maintained roads.
Sources from the Engineering Department of the Corporation say that highly damaged roads are currently the priority for repair.
They are waiting for funds to be released to undertake improvements in the area. The Sanitary Officer of zone (2) assures that he will immediately assess the ward for debris and glass particles and take necessary action. There is no school, library or integrated sanitary complex in the area.
Residents must travel to neighbouring wards to access these facilities.
