Chennai: With more showers expected to lash the city, Chennai corporation’s claim of immediate removal of stagnant water and controlling of mosquito menace falls flat in Vettuvankeni. The newly-included zone of the civic body is yet to get necessary civic amenities, complain residents.
The residents of Karpagavinayagar Nagar, fallling under ward 193, continue to be haunted by mosquitos and water stagnation. “The drainage system is poorly developed, and we can see drainage overflow everywhere during the monsoons.
All these factors create a very unhygienic environment,” complained S. Karthikeyan, an engineering graduate. Adding to the woes the residents is that the civic body is dragging its feet in installation of street lights. “Not all parts of the wards are adequately provided with street lights, and with potholes galore, the elderly cannot venture out at night,” said Ms K. Aarthi, a resident.
As they get only saline water for use, the residents say that their ward councillor has not done anything to improve the situation. “Whenever it rains, the 10th and 11th Main Road get flooded with rainwater. Add to this drainage overflow and you can imagine the around. Even if we call the civic staff to set right the issue, they take their own cool time to respond,” pointed out Mr S. Deepak, resident of Vettuvankeni.
Moreover, the residents also urge the civic body to develop a playground in their area. “There is available space near Sholinganallur canal. The civic body should buy the land and convert it into a playground. This will not only benefit the ward but the entire zone. Presently, there is no proper playground for use by the residents,” said Ms S. Anitha Suresh, a homemaker.
When contacted, ward 193 councillor T.C. Govindaswamy “was not available for comment”. But zone 15 officer was a little more receptive and promised that he will take all necessary action to alleviate the sufferings of the people.
