When residents of Sanjay Nagar, near Vyasarpadi, step out of their homes, they have no choice but to walk through a street inundated with sewage.
Continuous overflow of sewage has left the residents struggling with overpowering stench as well as mosquitoes for nearly a month now.
The residents said sewage was continuously overflowing from a manhole in the area. It has filled the narrow streets, reaching the doorsteps of several houses. They had tried to create a small pathway with stones, as a temporary arrangement, but that too was now submerged in the dirty water.
“The worst-affected are office goers and school students. Every morning, many of them walk through the stagnant sewage to reach the main road. There are several children here and we are worried this may affect their health,” Rose Lily, a resident, said.
With every passing day, the colour of the stagnant water was changing and the stench was becoming unbearable, said K. Nagabooshnam, another resident. “We wanted to dump debris on the stagnant sewage but we are scared it might overflow into our houses,” she said.
The stagnant sewage has also turned a mosquito-breeding ground. Residents noted that this had caused health problems, with many complaining of fever.
“We took up the issue with the area office of the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board a number of times. They said there is a block in the main sewer line but have not taken up works to clear the block or arrest the sewage overflow. They have to repair the line and raise the height of the manhole,” D. Rosilin, another resident, said.
Officials of the area Metrowater office said whenever residents raised complaints about blocks in the sewer line, they acted immediately.
