The councillor of ward 90 has some unique things to say about the residents. “Every ward has problems and residents are sometimes forced to take matters into their own hands. But here, the residents come and talk to me and we work out solutions together instead of them resorting to road blockades and protests,” explained K. Bose, the councillor.
Residents of ward 90, which comprises Jaihindpuram Second Main Road, Gandhiji Street, Veerakaliamman Temple Street, Nethaji Street, Nehru Street and 48 other smaller streets have been grappling with water problems.
Water laced with sewage
“For about half an hour after the corporation begins water supply once in four days, it is laced with sewage and emits foul smell. In a few high-lying areas, water is supplied through tankers and not through the pipes as the pressure is less,” said S. Muthukaruppan, a resident.
“Many big houses use motors to pump drinking water. A recent raid in the area by corporation officials yielded more than 50 motors. We hope that the majority of us, who live in small dwellings, would get better supply,” he added.
Mr. Bose said that mixing of drinking water with sewage was a persistent problem, despite constant checks by corporation officials. “The sewage pipeline in the area was laid a decade ago. The population has increased now and even if the motor that pumps out waste water malfunctions for an hour, the sewage seeps into the drinking water pipeline,” he explained.
The councillor said that the corporation had allotted funds for the installation of three new motors as well as a transformer to ensure that the motors used to pump out sewage do not malfunction.
The ward will also get four new borewells for the summer season.
Work on new roads to begin
While a few streets were recently given paver block roads worth Rs. 25 lakh, work was yet to begin in a few streets for which proposals had been sent, the councillor said.
A few residents of the battered Muniyandi Kovil Street, where the roads were laid more than a decade back complained that water stagnation in the area was a health hazard whenever it rained.
R. Subburam, president, Madurai Jaihindpuram House Owners’ Welfare Association, said that while there were occasional issues that cropped up with basic amenities, the cooperative councillor and officials had been responsive.
“The ward needs a hospital. As the area is thickly populated with daily wage labourers and underprivileged people as well, there should be a subsidised healthcare facility,” he said.
Work is in progress on a community hall, at an estimated cost of Rs. 30 lakh, which, the residents said, was one of their long standing demands.
Traffic snarls
K. Leela, a resident, said that the parking of vehicles on both sides of Jaihindpuram Second Main Road made it impossible for pedestrians to walk through the stretch during peak hours. “Since the area is dotted with commercial establishments on either side, the road is always chocked with traffic and pedestrians are always at a risk. Parking should be regulated and fine imposed on erring persons,” she said.
