Over the years, many playgrounds in the city have gone missing. Now, some residents are trying to protect the Somasundraram playground in T. Nagar from being used for dumping debris. After a portion of the compound wall was demolished recently, residents and cricket clubs have appealed to the Chennai Corporation to save the ground.
The Somasundaram Corporation Ground in busy T. Nagar is one of the few grounds in the city that have survived the rush of development. It is surrounded by Rajachar Street, Somasundaram Street, Hanumanthan Street and Rama Street.
Apart from local residents, people from across the city throng to the ground. “Many eminent cricketers have played in this ground and, even today, the play area becomes full on weekends,” said A.B. Muthukumar, a resident of the locality.
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However, residents claimed that on December 29, a few persons came and parked a cement mixer vehicle near the Aavin booth close to the ground. On the same night, they demolished a wall on Rajachar Street to the extent of 10 feet, they added. Following this, a ramp from the street to the ground was constructed for the lorries to enter.
No response
“We protested against this. There was no response,” added another resident. The residents fear that the contractors of the Smart City project are trying to dump debris in the ground.
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“If we allow this now, the entire ground will be destroyed in a matter of weeks and the children will be left in the lurch. This is one the few playgrounds left in the city. We do not need concrete jungle inside the ground that may hurt children,” he added.
The residents and The Young Stars Cricket Association have written to the Chennai Corporation Commissioner to take action. “We have even lodged a police complaint and after that no move has been made to dump debris till now,” added another resident.