Due to the monsoon failing last year, things were under control in Chennai and there wasn’t any major flooding issue.
However, Madipakkam and surrounding areas still reel under the lack of storm water drains (SWDs).
Residents said the inaction of officials even at this point of time when its favourable for construction work shows their lethargic attitude.
Speaking to News Today, Madipakkam Mahalakshmi Nagar resident Saravana Kumar, said, “We carry out sapling plantation drive every week and there were occasions when our saplings were uprooted for storm water drain construction and street light installation. So now, we have refrained from planting saplings on roads which are devoid of storm water drains and that has curtailed our activity. Majority of the streets in Madipakkam and Keelkattalai don’t have SWDs. The shrinking of Keelkattalai canal due to rising encroachments has made matters worse.”
“After members of our federation submitted a petition to the Corporation, officials have started work at Mahalaksmi Nagar and a couple of other areas. But there are no signs of the work at the rest of the localities. It will be better of storm water drains are constructed on all stretches in the next two months so that the locality can face the rains this year. Also, Keelkattalai canal should be widened for effective drainage of water,” he added.