For residents of Ranjithapuram in Subramaniapuram area in the city, the slightest of showers brings jitters.
Many houses in the area get inundated within minutes of a spell of rain. The rain over the past couple of days put residents in many lanes and by-lanes to hardship yet again as the rainwater started heading up and started entering the houses.
The problem has been persisting ever since the Tiruchi-Chennai bypass was made into a four-lane way by the National Highways Authority of India. The rainwater flow from the highway, which is about six feet higher than the residential colonies, often flows into the colonies. Although a storm-water drain has been provided, it has been heavily encroached upon and unable to draw the water, say the residents.
“We have been repeatedly representing our problem to the NHAI and the Corporation over the past few years. But there has been no response. Every time there is rain, we are in trouble,” said Sagaya Mariyanathan, president, Subramaniapuram Ranjithapuram Residents Welfare Association.
Residents in Raja Street, Susai Street, Ganapathy Street, Veeerapandia Kattabomman Street, Poul Street, and Arul Street were inundated on Thursday, said Mr. Mariyanathan.
Although the city corporation sent in a few sanitary workers, the problem could hardly be sorted out manually, he said and added that the storm-water drain has to be cleaned using earthmovers. The encroachments should be cleared.
Local residents have also been pressing for building bigger culverts to enable the water to flow across the highway.
