Tamil Nadu: 1.5 years on, hydrotherapy centre awaits inaugural

Chennai: Call it the heights of negligence and official apathy, a state-of-the-art hydrotherapy facility in the prime part of Central Chennai assured for the TN kids suffering from muscular dystrophy (MD) and nervous disorders is rusting and awaiting inaugural for the past one and half years. The public works department and the Sport Development Authority are passing the blame game, delaying the project announced to increase the lifespan and the quality of these kids who lifespan usually ranges between 17 and early 20s.

“I know my son is not going to live long, but I want to give him the best treatment for his genetic disorder. There is no cure for him, but doctors advise hydrotherapy as it postpones the muscle damage and the bone collapse”, explains Raj Kumar (name changed), who has a nine-year-old child fighting MD. “Once in a month, I come to the stadium hoping that the facility is ready for use, but two years have passed only the building and basic work is completed,” says Raj Kumar, fighting tears. “I do take him to private therapists spending money, but I have two more kids to take care”, he adds.

The civil work for project was started during the tenure of chief minister J Jayalalithaa in 2015 to strengthen the muscles and nervous system of the special children, but only the civil works had been completed. Installation of equipments for the pool, electrical and fabrication works are pending, an informed source said. When contacted a senior state official said that the issue would be taken up with both the PWD and the SDAT. The tender works for the project also got delayed due to the recent model code of conduct. We will review the project status and ensure that the project is completed at the earliest, the top official exuded confidence.