Residents of Moovarasampet have sought merger of Moovarasampet with the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC). The locality is near Ullagaram, Puzhuthivakkam and Nanganallur, which are part of GCC.
Citing lack of basic amenities, which include bad roads, irregular garbage collection, contaminated drinking water, non-establishment of Underground Drainage (UGD) system, residents now urge the State government to take steps to merge their village panchayat with the Corporation. Repeated representations are being sent to the CM’s Cell, Kancheepuram District Collectorate, Municipal Administration and Water Supply.
More than 17,000 people live in Moovarasampet. The residential area lacks many basic amenities including better stormwater drain connections. “Due to the lack of a UGD system, residents discharge sewage from their houses into the stormwater drains. As a result, the drains are unable to carry excess rainwater to Moovarasampet Eri. Plastic waste clogs the drain and stagnant sewage serves as a breeding ground for mosquitoes,” says G.P. Babu, secretary, Federation of Moovarasampet Welfare Associations’ (FMWA). Residents complain that they are constantly exposed to serious health hazards.
Bad roads
Most of the roads in Moovarasampet, including Raghava Nagar Second Main Road, Sabapathy Nagar Lane, Amaravathy Street and Bharat Nagar, are battered. R. Anand, a resident, says, “The interior streets and arterial roads are encroached upon by residents for parking vehicles and garbage is dumped there. Pedestrians are forced to walk in the middle of the road.”
Garbage mounds could be spotted on arterial roads including Medavakkam Main Road, Madipakkam, Subramanian Nagar Third Street and Gokulam Nagar. “Garbage is left uncleared for days and residents have to bear with the stench. Motorists fling their trash covers onto the roads. Over a period, waste from the trash covers is strewn across the stretch, making it difficult for motorists to negotiate the stretch. Besides, garbage mounds attract stray dogs. Steps must be taken to direct the conservancy staff to collect the household domestic waste on a daily basis,” says B. Harish, a resident.
Drinking water supply
At present, Moovarasampet village panchayat supplies drinking water to the residents from Moovarasampet Eri. The sprawling waterbody is contaminated due to discharge of sewage from stormwater drains. As a result, residents rely on water cans for cooking and drinking purposes.
Other demands of the residents include upgradation of the Primary Health Care Centre and enhancement of educational facilities at Government High School, Moovarasampet. Residents believe that the host of civic problems plaguing their area can be solved only if Moovarasampet is merged with the Corporation.
