Residents of Chitlapakkam have launched a postcard campaign to highlight the long-pending civic problems in the neighbourhood.
Senior citizens and social activists say they would keep posting inland letters to the authorities concerned till the problems are solved.
M. Ravi, secretary, Sri Sarvamangala Nagar Residents Welfare Association, Chitlapakkam, said, “It is unfortunate that many residents in the area are not aware of the problems in the neighbourhood. During the initial meetings of the campaign, we explained the problems to them, the consequences of not having them addressed and also about how to go about the campaign.”
Letters would be posted highlighting issues such as restoration of Chitlapakkam and Sembakkam lakes; improvement of groundwater resources; dumping of garbage and discharge of sewage in the waterbodies; and provision of Under Ground Drainage (UGD) connections in Chitlapakkam.
The letters will be sent on a regular basis to the Kancheepuram District Collector, the CM’s Cell, Chief Secretary, Public Works Department, Chitlapakkam Selection Grade Town Panchayat and to the Secretary, Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department. Letters would be written in English and also in the vernacular.
A. Shanmugam, a resident, said, “The response from the residents is good and they are keen on participating in the campaign. Even school students are taking part in the campaign.” When asked about the reason behind sending postcards and not emails or Whatsapp messages, Ravi, said, “By writing, residents will realise the seriousness of the situation and its consequences. If messages are sent through social media, residents will forget them the next day and it will be an yet another forward message both for the authorities as well as the residents.”
K. Ramakrishna, a social activist, said, “Tambaram should be made a separate Corporation.” He suggests merger of Chitlapakkam, Pallavaram, Madambakkam and Sembakkam with the new Corporation.
Canal needed
During the 2015 December deluge, the residential locality was affected by the floods and Babu Street, Chitlapakkam, was the worst-affected.
“The stretch was flooded due to discharge of excess water from Selaiyur lake. As a permanent solution, a canal has to be constructed at the intersection of Camp Road and Velachery Main Road, towards Sembakkam Lake, to discharge excess water.”
