Garbage clearance, inadequate stormwater drains and lack of playgrounds are the key issues plaguing residents of Ward number 78 - Choolai.
With no playgrounds in the vicinity, the children in this area have been forced to play on the streets, often breaking windows while doing so.
It has been years since they requested authorities to construct either a park or a playground, but there’s been no development so far.
“There is absolutely no place to play or hang out here. There are buildings everywhere, and if we play outside we are yelled at and asked to go home. How long can we sit at home,” complained Rajesh Kumar a class 7 student. There are 72 roads in the area, but no space for recreation.
“I have to walk five kilometres to get to a park. I don’t even step out thinking of the traffic and commotion,” said R. Janaki, a 50-year-old homemaker living in Tana Street.
Two major issues crippling residents are garbage and the lack of stormwater drains. Janaki complained that water had entered her home during the recent rains, putting her to great hardship.
“The level of water was knee-deep and we are still in the process of cleaning up the area,” she said pointing out to her damp entrance.
“Despite forwarding several requests to the officials, no action has been taken so far. No lessons have been learnt from the December floods,” she complained.
Street corners often have overflowing garbage from bins lines the roads and they often remain there for several days. “It has been like this for a week, people however continue to dispose their wastes here,” said R. George, another resident in the area.
Adding to this, AIADMK Councillor of the area T. Magizhanban said that the lack of sufficient workers to help clear up the waste and collect it was the reason for the dilemma. “Everytime we inform the concerned departments, they complain about not having enough personnel to carry out the work. And this is the reason why the waste gets piled up in these spots,” he said. The councillor said that they are in the process of repairing the stormwater drains and have been scouting for a place to create a playground for children. “We are well aware of the issues and are doing everything that we can to help the people,” he said.
