Residents of Pazhavanthangal and Nanganallur have requested the officials of Greater Chennai Corporation to lay a walkers’ pathway on the bunds of a pond located on Fourth Main Road, Nanganallur.
At present, residents go for their walks on the arterial stretches in the neighbourhood.
The pavements are either encroached upon by vendors or used as a parking lot by customers to the commercial establishments, forcing pedestrians to walk in the middle of the road. “A walkers’ track can be created on the bunds of the pond so that walkers can avoid using main roads for walking,” G. Rajasekaran, a resident of Pazhavanthangal, said.
Residents also requested the Corporation officials to desilt and deepen the pond. “The pond was last desilted in late 1990s and bunds were formed on all sides. However, no steps were taken to maintain the pond. Now, the bunds are overgrown with thorny bushes and are littered with all kinds of waste. Moreover, they are used as an open toilet and as a bar by tipplers,” a resident said. It must be noted that a liquor outlet is located opposite the pond at 48th Street.
“In normal course, excess rainwater must flow into the pond through stormwater drains and then to Veerangal Odai. However, as drains are choked with garbage, liquor bottles and other wastes, rainwater flows onto the road. If steps are taken to desilt and deepen the pond, strengthen the bunds and to form a walkers path, the pond will not be misused by anti-social elements,” residents pointed out. Yet another demand by the residents is to desilt an open well at Elangovadigal Street, Pazhavanthangal.
The well, which is 25ft deep and 20ft wide, is used as a dumping ground.
