Residents maintain common utility area

They protect it from unauthorised occupation

SHOWING THE WAY: Residents of Krishnamurthy Nagar have been maintaining the common utility area by constructing a compound and raising plants.

Heard of a group of residents of a residential colony maintaining a common utility area, preventing it from encroachments and protecting it with green cover? It is so in Krishnamoorthy Nagar in the city where the residents have risen to the occasion to protect it from any unauthorised occupation or encroachment.

The layouts in the area were approved by the City Corporation in 1974 and about 300 families reside in the area. A piece of land measuring about 8,500 square feet was allotted for common utility services such as setting up of park, entertainment for children, auditorium so on and so forth.

Residents who have floated the Krishnamoorthy Nagar Welfare Association, have been impressing upon the City Corporation to take over the piece of land and develop it with adequate infrastructure particularly children’s park for the past several years.

The residents, on their part, have taken an initiative to protect the area from trespassers. By mobilising donation from each and every family, they raised about Rs. 3 lakh and constructed compound all around the area. “We beautified the area by planting saplings. We have also constructed an auditorium-like structure for use by our residents,” says T. Sappanimuthu, president of the Association.

M. Arunagiri, secretary of the Association, says that a lot more needs to be done. The setting up of a park would benefit the women and children. A walking track should also be set up.

M. Nallu, former president of the Association, says that the site could also be utilised for setting up fitness infrastructure, see-saw and other entertainment infrastructure to benefit the residents.

The office-bearers say that the residents were totally devoid of any entertainment facility. “We have to rely on the parks in Tiruchi city which is about five km away.

Further, Krishnamoorthy Nagar, by virtue of its location in the midst of a cluster of residential colonies, would cater to the entertainment needs of a good number of residents.

The office-bearers said that they have submitted a memorandum to take over the utility area and further develop it.