Members of Sankara Nagar Vari Selluthvor Nala Sangam, Pammal, as well as residents of Pammal Sankara Nagar recently submitted a list of requests to the Commissioner, Pammal Municipality. These include linking a branch canal with Nattukalvai, which is a rainwater canal connected to the Adyar river through Anakaputhur.
Years ago, this branch canal was encroached upon. As a result of this, during the December 2015 floods and cyclone Vardah, excess rainwater flowed backwards, flooding Sankara Nagar.
Had the encroachments been removed and canal desilted, the residential area wouldn’t have suffered extensive damage?
S. Mariappan, president of the Sangam, says, “Rainwater coming from the western side of Gandhi Main Road, Sankara Nagar, should go to Nattukalvai. However, as the branch canal could not be identified due to encroachments, rainwater is now being let into private properties. As per the Revenue Department Field Measurement Book 1987, it is evident that a branch canal of Nattukalvai existed. So, encroachments on this canal should be cleared ant it should be de-silted and linked to Nattukalvai to ensure free flow of rainwater to Adyar river.”
Residents complain that several representations made to the authorities have gone in vain.
“Steps must be taken to build stormwater drains on 13th Street extension as there is currently no system in place there to divert rainwater to the canal. During the rainy season, the street is inundated causing great hardship to motorists and pedestrians,” Mariappan adds.
Desilt the drains
Steps must be taken to desilt stormwater drains and clear garbage at periodic intervals in Sankara Nagar.
“Without desilting and clearance of garbage, the drains have become a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Through the day, mosquitoes swarm in large numbers, making it difficult for us to keep the windows open. A foul smell pervades the air most of the time,” residents said.
Property tax
In addition to long-pending civic problems, residents have raised the issue of new residents of the locality having to wait for months to receive property tax assessments.
“Those who have submitted applications to the Municipality in January are yet to get their property tax assessed,” members point out.
The other demands include laying of Gandhi Main Road, repairing defunct streetlights and demolishing a road laid above a water channel at 32nd Street. It is believed the road has been created temporarily to provide easy access to a liquor outlet located nearby.
