While most of the roads were freshly coated with tar and the storm water drains (SWDs) were constructed in Ramapuram recently, the people of Kalasathamman street in Mookambigai Nagar are hoping for the same. Residents here demand proper SWD system and underground pipe connections.
Baju, a resident of Kalasathamman street says, “Almost all areas in the neighbourhood have SWDs. But our street lacks many facilities. Lack of dust bins is a major problem here. For the entire area, we have two bins, of which one is damaged. The dumpsters are always overflowing with garbage, thereby serving as home for mosquitoes.”
“School children and elders find it difficult to cross the roads amidst the filth and stink. They are also prone to viral fevers because of the pathetic condition. Children learn from what they see. If they get to see and grow in this kind of environment, how will they care to protect the environment in the future?” Baju asks with concern.
He further claims that manholes in the area are often left open and they are not interlinked. “We have submitted a number of petitions to the officials. The reply that we get every time is that the area is not allocated under a particular project,” Baju fumes.
The Mookambigai Nagar Residential Welfare Association, in which Baju is also a member, has submitted various petitions against the commercial establishments in the locality who have dug many borewells here. Although the members have been raising their voice against this particular issue for more than 10 years now, no action has been said to be taken.
“We had raised the issue several years back as we cared about the future and were concerned that people would face severe drought because of this. Today, the situation is just like we had envisioned. The area runs out of water even before the summer commences.”
“Almost all residents here run motors in their houses throughout the day. If left lethargically, the issue might grow worse. So, in the near future, we are planning to stage a protest seeking action on all our issues,” say the members of the association.