The lows of living on the fringes: bad roads, inundated neighbourhoods

October 11, 2013 01:27 am | Updated November 16, 2021 07:47 pm IST - CHENNAI:

A secene from September 12 in Athipettu is repeated every time it rains herePhoto: K. Pichumani

A secene from September 12 in Athipettu is repeated every time it rains herePhoto: K. Pichumani

Residents of 291 low-lying areas that were identified last monsoon in the eight added zones continue to suffer from water logging.

According to recent data collected by the Corporation, all these areas are prone to inundation every time it rains. However, the civic body has not taken any major steps to prevent this from happening.

Sholinganallur, with 57 low-lying neighbourhoods tops the list. T.C. Govindasamy, a councillor in Thoraipakkam, said areas such as Anandan Nagar, Sai Nagar, Karpagavinayaga Nagar and Shanthiniketan Colony were affected after the recent rains.

“Work is yet to start on stormwater drains here. Metrowater work here has to be completed before starting this work,” he said.

Tiruvottiyur, Ambattur and Valasaravakkam are among the zones that have a relatively large number of areas affected by inundation.

Kargil Nagar, Rajaji Nagar, MGR Nagar and Periyar Nagar in Tiruvottiyur; Kalaignar Nagar in Manali, Thamizhan Nagar and Secretariat Colony in Madhavaram; Kamarajapuram, Eri Scheme, Padikuppam and Golden George Nagar in Ambattur; Arignar Anna Nagar, CLRI Nagar, Barathy Nagar and Customs Colony in Sholinganallur are among the areas identified as flood prone.

Most of the projects proposed in such areas last year were expected to be completed this summer. But many are still unfinished. Open drains were constructed in some areas such as Sathyamoorthy Nagar in Tiruvottiyur to mitigate the effects of flooding, but to no avail. Every time it rains, sheets of water cover these areas.

A revised mapping of the localities by every zonal official across the city to, in order to begin preparing for natural calamities and cyclones during the northeast monsoon season, is yet to begin.

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