Residents of Anna Nagar West and surrounding areas heaved a sigh of relief when they saw construction of storm water drains had begun on important thoroughfares. Park Road, Anna Nagar West, which connects Chennai Tiruvallur High Road with Industrial Estate Road was in a bad state whenever it rained.
The storm water drain on Park Road plays an important role in draining flood water during heavy rain. A few years ago, the drain on one side was completely damaged and no steps were taken to reconstruct it until now.
Poor maintenance
“Poor maintenance of the storm water drain on one side was stated as reason for the mess,” says Avinash, a resident of School Road.
The result is that the new storm water drain is full of plastic waste and garbage. .
Construction of new storm water drains supplementing the existing ones started in January 2011, and similar construction work was carried out on Paari Salai, Mogappair. A senior citizen from Park Road points out that this new storm water drain is very narrow and it will take more time to drain the rainwater that flows from all directionsIf the drain is blocked, the area will remain flooded, he added.
Measures should be taken to link the storm water drains for free flow, he added.
The storm water drains are being broken open by miscreants near Welcome Colony and Tamil Nadu Housing Board Office to dispose off food waste.
It may be recalled that the Highways Department had re-laid the covers for the storm water drains a few months ago.
Request for extension
“We have not received rain as we got in 2005, which may have exposed the drawbacks. We request the authorities to extend the construction work up to Padi Flyover. The existing storm water drains on the other side has to be taken care of by clearing the rubble and garbage in it,” says S. Velayudham, a retired school teacher.
With the Monsoon just two months away, this is the right time for the Chennai Corporation to make the city ready for heavy spells of rain , said many residents.
