The open stormwater channels on either side of Pari Salai in Mugappair East are posing a threat to pedestrians – including patients visiting the two hospitals nearby as well as children studying in schools dotting the area.
Satish, a resident of Eri scheme says, “The drains are two feet deep at least and the concrete blocks that cover the stormwater drain are missing at most places. They drains are covered only in front of entrances to houses and commercial establishments. Even those were put after the owners of the property demanded it from the authorities concerned or made an effort to install it themselves.”
Pari Salai is a one-kilometer stretch that connects Church Road and Valaiyapathi Salai. Both these roads are important links that connect Mugappair with NH4. The covered stormwater drains were intended to be used as footpaths as well. Since the covers are not present, we see people walking on the busy road increasing the chances of vehicles hitting them.
Satish’s mother was a victim of this problem as she fell into one of the open stormwater drains while trying to dodge a speeding bike. Satish says people have grown numb to the problem and see it as something normal. “People don’t realise how serious this is,” says Satish.
There is also one more problem that the drains have caused – mosquitoes. Satish says, “The entire Pari stretch has become a one-kilometer long mosquito breeding ground. The drains are also not maintained at all and we can see small shrubs growing inside.”
The honest tax paying citizens of Mugappair have had many reasons to frown over the past couple of months – the chief among them being the hike in property tax and water tax. But, had Mugappair area received even the bare necessary facilities (such as covers for stormwater drains at least), the residents would not have been irked to this extent.