Chennai: Residents of Chitlapakkam are not happy with the way the cut-and-cover drain project has been progressing, as water is stagnating in the pits that have been dug up for it.
“Roads have caved in at a few places and are risky for residents, especially children and the elderly. We have requested officials to block unsafe roads such as these and place proper blocks and message boards,” said Bhupathy, a member of the activist group, Chitlapakkam Rising.
He further said the timing of the commencement of work was wrong, as it was just before the onset of the monsoon.
“Several residents are literally under house arrest, due to the roads caving in,” he said. He further noted that besides the complexities of the work getting done during the rain, de-silting of the Selaiyur lake is ineffective.
“The drain work should have started at the downstream near Sembakkam lake. However, it has began at Sethunarayana and Pamban Swamigal Street,” he pointed out.
After the complaints raised by the public, the officials have taken some precautionary measures, but, these are not enough, felt residents.
According to an official from Chitlapakkam Town Panchayat, all precautionary measures are being taken to ensure that there is no problem in the progress of the cut-and-cover drain project. Water stagnant in the drains after the rain, is being drained out using motors. There is enough pathway for residents to move around. We have men in place, even during night time, to ensure that there is no untoward incident. We have also cut an alternative path to drain the water,” he said.
“The project is estimated to be completed in six months, however, we have asked the contractor to speed up things and get the work done as early as possible,” he added.