Swimming in sewage

Friends of Chennai, a social initiative, was The Hindu’s gift to the city on its 375th birthday. FoC seeks to serve as a vehicle for residents’ hopes and concerns about the city. Today, we take a look at the problem of sewage-mixed rainwater stagnating on city roads

The problem has persisted for several years on Konnur High Road, a six-kilometre-long road that passes through Perambur and Ayanavaram, among other localities, and houses residences as well as commercial establishments and schools. Photo: V. Ganesan

Every year, the monsoon not only exposes the inadequacy of the city’s basic infrastructure, but also imposes immense suffering on residents who have to deal with stagnant pools of rainwater.

The situation is exacerbated by the perennial problem of sewage leaking from the vast underground network of the city.

“Sewage gets into the water pipeline, especially when there is a blockage in the drains. When we try to draw water from the hand pump to fetch drinking water, what we get is sewage-contaminated water and a foul smell,” says Badri Srinivasan, a resident of Ayanavaram, while writing about problems caused by stagnated rainwater contaminated with sewage on Konnur High Road, an important and arterial city road.

The six-kilometre long road passes through Perambur and Ayanavaram, among other localities, and houses residences as well as commercial establishments and schools.

Mohammed Yousuf, who runs a shop on the six-kilometre-long road, says the stretch near the ‘joint office’ bus stop is the worst-affected. “There are several shops here and more importantly, there are five schools. It is so painful to see students trying to get past the sewage without getting their uniforms dirty,” Mr. Yousuf points out.

Residents say the problem has persisted for several years. The entire stretch of the road was given a cement concrete topping, but it did not help. Calling for immediate remedial measures, residents say Chennai Metrowater and the Corporation should work together to locate the exact spot where the problem originates and find a permanent solution.

Chennai Metrowater officials, however, say chances of water contamination in the main pipeline on Konnur High Road, Ayanavaram, is low because of high water pressure. “We frequently attend to problems of water leaks in places such as Sayani theatre. Such pollution occurs in congested areas where the water sump and drainage of houses are in proximity to each other. We take steps to arrest mixing of sewage with drinking water, based on complaints,” an official clarified.

(Additional reporting by K. Lakshmi)