So near, yet so far from development

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.