Residents of Anna Nagar Western Extension made a complaint to the authorities concerned, and to their surprise, it elicited the desired response. The surprise had to do with the fact that everything happened fast, and that too, largely over email and WhatsApp.
On September 22, at their association’s annual general body meeting, a discussion about restoring public wells came up.
“Recharge pits had been laid on the streets by the civic body recently and that is how the discussion started,” recalled K.S. Palaniswami, president, Anna Nagar Western Extension Residents Welfare Association.
Subsequently, a resolution was passed that the authorities concerned, including Chennai Metrowater and the Chennai Corporation, would be urged to revive five defunct public wells in the neighbourhood.
Officer bearers of the association sent a common complaint through WhatsApp and email to the Chennai Metrowater to revive the wells, so that the facilities are ready for the north-east monsoon.
Residents made a few follow-ups on the complaint.
Following this, a team of Chennai Metrowater officials including the local area engineer inspected the defunct public wells. A Metrowater official said three defunct public wells located on Second Street, near a public park in ‘B’ Sector’; on First Street in A.P. Plots next to SBOA school; and on Park Road were being taken up for restoration in the first phase.
Work on reviving wells under progress at Anna Nagar
The defunct public wells will be desilted and deepened. Later, they would be covered with iron mesh to prevent dry leaves and branches from falling into them. The rainwater harvesting system on the streets will be connected to these wells. “At present, one of the defunct public wells is located next to a park that has a rainwater harvesting system. We will connect the RWH system in the park to the public wells. The same arrangement will make the other public wells in the neighbourhood functional,” said a Metrowater official.
