M. Jyothi stands in the middle of Bethaniapuram’s Kamarajar street raising slogans against the City Corporation and takes part in a road roko campaign.
It is her ninth month of pregnancy and the sun beats down on her as she wipes the sweat beads off her forehead.
“I have no choice but to take to the streets. The Corporation has not cleaned the manhole near our house. Drainage and excreta is floating in our houses. This is a question of my child’s health,” she says.
For 40 days, the Corporation has ignored the pleas of residents and not tended to the drainage system in the streets.
K. Sushila, one of the protestors says that the residents have not been able to eat at their houses. “The drainage rises and flows into our houses, causing extensive stench. It is repulsive and it is getting increasingly difficult to live in our houses,” she says.
On the verge of tears and rage, Sushila says her young sons feel an itch in their feet due to stepping on drainage. “We have visited the Corporation office several times and written complaints everyday. The officials regularly give us excuses or blatantly refuse to visit our homes despite requests. On rare days when a group of us approach them, they oblige. They also ask us to arrange about Rs. 1,000 for the clearance work,” she says.
She adds that cleaners often threaten to stop the drainage work unless the amount is paid. “As tax-paying citizens, we are entitled to clean houses and proper drainage systems. Should we have to pay for it?” she asks.
Sushila adds that each time she decides to visit the Corporation office, she loses her day’s wages. “I earn ₹200 at a local tailoring shop. When I am out protesting, my day’s salary is compromised,” she says.
Other women, including S. Vellaiammal and S. Subbulakshmi, say that they cannot cook or watch the television in their houses. All their time is diverted towards cleaning the mess. It is almost an inhuman way to live, they say.
A senior Corporation official from the Engineering department says residents have been discouraged from paying money to the cleaners unless they willingly tip them.
“There maybe a block in the stretch. We will ensure that all steps are taken to prevent such problems,” he said.
