For the last two months, many residents of Palmgrove Apartments on Ninth Cross Street in Besant Nagar have been keeping their windows closed fearing snakes may enter their houses. Their fear is based on other factors too.
A portion of the wall around a piece of land, which is dense with trees, plants and creepers, collapsed during the torrential rain in December, 2015. This property, which is opposite the apartment, belongs to Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewage Board.
As the property is left open now, residents have been facing a variety of problems.
S. Srinivasan, president, Palmgrove Residents Welfare Association, says, “Snakes are generally found here but after the wall collapsed, we are often spotting snakes on the street. We find it unsafe to go for a walk on this street.”
Another issue is that the open space is gradually is being misused for dumping waste, says resident M.K. Vidhya. “Also, passersby are using the space to relieve themselves,” she adds.
After the collapse of the wall, many strangers are often seen entering the property.
Resident S. Karthik says, “School students and others are also known to frequent this place. We have seen people drink alcohol and smoke here. The place is becoming a den for all kinds of anti-social activities.”
He also points out that a building is being constructed in a nearby street and migrant labourers there have started using the space to brush their teeth, change clothes and to get ready for the day’s work.
K. Subramanian and a few others suggest that the land could be converted into a park in the neighbourhood as there are many senior citizens who live in apartments and feel the need for a park.
Resident R. Ganesh says “As of now, nothing untoward has occurred but we don’t want to wait till something does. The least we expect is the provision of a wired fencing as a temporary measure to prevent trespassers. I tried reaching a Metro official but in vain.”
“It was during the time of floods that the wall collapsed. The officials would have had other concerns requiring immediate intervention. We understand that, but it is two months now and isn’t it time that something is done about the broken wall,” ask residents.
