Promises continue to remain on paper

Though located in a fast-developing region, Nawab Habibullah Nagar is still grappling with basic civic problems

(left) A view of the Adyar river at Manimangalam; the children’s park at Nawab Habibullah Nagar is waiting for a facelift. Photos: G. Krishnaswamy

Nawab Habibullah Nagar in Mudichur has location going for it. It is proximate to two fast-developing stretches -- Mudichur Road and Manimangalam-Sriperumbudur Road. This obvious advantage has, however, not translated into tangible benefits. The locality lacks basic civic amenities. No storm water drains. No clean drinking water. No playground.

Residents say their appeals to the Mudichur Village Panchayat and petitions to other relevant authorities, including the Kancheepuram District Collectorate and the CM's Cell to improve civic infrastructure in the locality have not yielded any results.

Many of the development plans for the locality remain on paper.

Here's an example: The layout plan for the locality was sanctioned in 1993. In this plan, under the Open Space Reserve, 64 cents were earmarked for the creation park.

The proposed park remains a wish.

Lack of stormwater drains (SWDs) is another problem plaguing residents of Nawab Habibullah Nagari. Besides asking the Mudichur Panchayat to construct SWDs across the locality, residents have requested the State Highways to construct SWDs on Manimangalam–Sriperumbudur Road. These SWDs have to be constructed in such a manner that they carry rainwater, without any hindrance, to the Adyar river.

“Due to lack of SWDs, rainwater stagnated for a month in and around the Nagar, after Vardah,” M. R. Sai Sampath Kumar, a veteran social activist and a resident, said.

“I took up the issue with the State Highways Department. The authorities concerned said steps would be taken to construct drains as soon as work on widening Manimangalam – Sriperumbudur Road into a four-lane is completed.”

Residents have also demanded supply of clean drinking water. At present, drinking water is supplied by the Panchayat from a borewell on Mudichur Road.

“The supplied water is unfit for drinking. It can be used only to water the garden and for washing kitchen utensils and clothes,” S. Sulochana, a resident, said.

Residents have demanded the de-silting and deepening of the water channels of Adyar river. Removal of encroachments on the water channels has also been sought..

“Had the river and its water channels been de-silted and deepened, and encroachments removed, the huge flooding after Vardah would not have occurred,” said Sulochana.

Residents say they sent a series of petitions to the CM's Cell last year, and that these letters had been forwarded to the Kancheepuram Collectorate for action to be taken on them. But, no steps have been taken so far.

When contacted, Kancheepuram Collectorate officials denied receiving petitions from the CM's Cell. State Highways Department officials refused to comment on the issue.