Chennai is dissected by a number of canals, both big and small, that were built to prevent water stagnation during the monsoon. However, due to constant abuse, some of the smaller canals in north Chennai have been reduced to carriers of waste water. Also, the dumping of garbage has turned these canals into breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Considering these canals flow through densely-populated residential localities, they pose a health hazard.
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Captain Cotton, Ainsley and Ekangipuram canals, built as flood carriers for localities in north Chennai, including MKB Nagar, Perambur, Pulianthope and Ayanavaram, have become a festering problem for the residents.
Built to tackle problems that come with the monsoon, they ironically have the most deleterious effect on these neighbourhoods during and following that season. As the countdown to the monsoon begins, residents of these areas have renewed their demand to have these canals de-silted and address the root cause of the problem.
K. Ramadoss, a social activist from Ayanavaram, alleged that the sewage let out by residents of Seeyalam Street, near ICF, has led to the deterioration of Ainsley Canal. It is in dire need of de-silting, he added. Over the years, residents of Ayanavaram have made representations to the authorities concerned to clean up this canal.
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The canal, which begins its course near Level Crossing-1 of Villivakkam Railway station, flows along Integral Coach Factory and Pananthope Colony and joins the Otteri Nullah, comes under the jurisdiction of the Southern Railway.
For residents of Jamalia, Perambur and Otteri, the state of the Ekangipuram Canal, maintained by the Chennai Corporation, is a major cause of concern. They allege neglect of the canal by the civic authorities. According to residents, debris and garbage float on the canal due to slum tenements that have sprung up there. They said that the canal had accumulated heavy silt.
The Captain Cotton Canal, which is in a similar state, flows from Erukkanchery to Kodungaiyur.