Chennai: With North East monsoon predicted to lash the city, the neighbourhood received good showers in the last few days. But the grim question lies here. Are we rain-ready? Partially no. While the corporation has desilted the stormwater drains and underway in a few areas, the residents are worried about battered roads and potholes. The local body officials reassure that there would be no repeat of 2015 episode.
“While the desilting work is ongoing, the Service Road that leads to Alandur from St Thomas Mount subway is still the same. Water continues to stagnate even for light showers and two-feet-deep when it is intense,” said S P Nalan, a resident of Alandur.
When he took the matter to the purview of the authorities concerned, all he witnessed was a blame game.
“The railways said it is the corporation’s duty, the local body stated the road comes under the control of highways and the highways pointed the fingers to corporation,” he added.
The resident lodged a complaint with the Highways a few months ago, acting on which the department filled the road with rubbles, however, he rues that it is of no use.
Federation of Adambakkam Welfare Association (FAWA) general secretary Saravanan points the incomplete storm water drain work on Medavakkam Main Road and adds that the drains are cut and not linked in Surendra Nagar and Shanthi Nagar as it involves Highways department.
“The Corporation is desilting the drains in a few places in the neighbourhood. However, City Link Road that leads to Guindy from Kakkan bridge is in a pathetic condition. As it shares the area with Ward 177, the local body officials are miffed and blame each other,” he adds.
He further complains of workers being inefficient in waste collection. “I see them signing the attendance and just while away instead of discharging their duties,” he rued.
When contacted the corporation, an official said, “There would not be any distress due to the normal rains and only a few areas like Bharathidasan Nagar, Thillai Ganga Nagar, Kamban Street have chances of flooding. However, there would be problems only if it rains abnormally. We have linked all the drains except Kannan Colony as it is adjacent to the railway track.”
The official stated that motors are in place to pump out water if needed.
Asked about Veerangal Odai, the officer said it comes under the purview of the Highways. “We wrote a letter seeking clean up and they said they would do.”