As minister for municipal administration and rural development, K.P. Munusamy, undertakes a review of the city, he is met by battered roads, incomplete stormwater drains and piles of garbage. What will the government's response be?
Battered roads, incomplete stormwater drains and garbage piles — everyday challenges for city residents — have finally elicited a response from the government.
On Monday, minister for municipal administration and rural development, K.P. Munusamy, commenced a week-long review of incomplete civic works on the zonal level. Starting with the five zones of Anna Nagar, Thiru-Vi-Ka Nagar, Teynampet, Kodambakkam and Valasaravakkam on Monday, the minister will complete the review next Monday.
According to officials, the review was necessitated following recent challenges in garbage clearance in many parts of the city. But the review brought to light issues such as incomplete stormwater drains, bad roads and growing mosquito menace.
Residents, who have so far put up with the civic problems because of the infrastructure works that are under way, have begun to feel the pinch with the next round of rains looming large.
“We have been tolerating the bad roads and water stagnation as most of such problems are associated with ongoing infrastructure projects such as the Metro Rail. But it has gone too far now. The agencies concerned must take remedial action as soon as possible,” said Karthik Selvan, a resident of Anna Nagar.
A damaged stormwater drain on Third Avenue in Anna Nagar is yet to be repaired. “The drain was damaged eight months ago when a big tree was uprooted,” said Mansoor, the security guard of an apartment complex in the area.
J. Robert, a resident, said, “We have given up. We approached the Corporation several times and requested that the drain be repaired soon. But both Metrowater and the Corporation have been blaming a contractor for the delay. We do not know what is happening. The damaged stormwater drain is now a mosquito breeding source.”
“Mosquito menace because of such breeding sources has increased considerably over the past four weeks. We are unable to bear it,” said R. Dhiliban, a resident of Anna Nagar 12 Main Road.
The minister has directed the Chennai Corporation to identify such damaged spots and generate a list of civic infrastructure in need of repair within 15 days. Mr. Munusamy also directed the officials to complete stormwater drain works by June 2013.
He also directed the civic body to take immediate action to fill vacancies in its offices to cope with other challenges such as faulty streetlights. Action will be taken to evict 515 families along the Otteri Nullah to facilitate the restoration of the drain.
The restoration of the drain by the Public Works Department is being delayed because of the encroachments. Otteri Nullah plays a key role in stormwater drainage in many localities of North Chennai.
May be all Politicians need an Overseas trip at Tax Payer's expense to know what is Cleanliness, Planning, Design & Engineering, and how to maintain after a project is complete.
Guys, In Canada, the whole city 70 kms stretch is spread with sand and Salt during Winter and it is cleaned/removed during Spring. This is done every year, can you believe it? We are lazy in thinking out of the box, corrupt and just good for chat Indians :) Sorry to Say this, but it's a fact!
Roads are not cleaned properly. Half the roads are covered with sands in North Chennai. Example Moolakadai to Kolathur Bye Pass Road) Therefore, 100 feet highway road changed into 50 feet road. Hence it creates huge traffic, accident, pollution, illness, time-waste, dust forming, stain in cloths, etc.
Who will address this issue in Chennai to maintain like metro city.
Especially someone (not some"one", many) to be deployed for North Chennai to take care of people health and life care.
Please Email the Editor