Chitalapakkam remains in a state of neglect

Chennai: It may be situated in close proximity to the metropolis of Chennai, but the Chitalapakkam town panchayat near Tambaram, which is home to nearly 60,000 people, does not have any facility that a city dweller gets to enjoy.

Residents of the town have been battling against several civic problems for over 40 years. The area is devoid of underground sewage system, storm water drains, proper roads and bus facilities. Numerous appeals by the residents to the authorities have gone in vain, they allege.

“Most of the sewage water let into the Chitalapakkam lake ends up in our drinking water taps. We have been asking for an underground sewage system for the past 30 years,” P Viswanathan, Convener, Chitalapakkam Residents Welfare Association, told Deccan Chronicle.

He added that the area gets only nine lakh litres of drinking water per day as opposed to the proposed scheme of 35 lakh litres per day. Moreover, out of 10,500 houses, only 20 per cent of them have water connection.

Unscientifically built storm water drains (SWD) are also one of the pressing problems of the area. While one drain gets blocked, water enters the houses owing to the flow of other two drains.  Residents have been asking that the SWD be deepened, regarding which they have also sent a petition to the Chief Minister, which is now pending with the Kancheepuram collector.

In the aftermath of 2015 floods and Vardah, most of the roads in the area are chipped and have potholes. “The parallel roads of Thirumagal Nagar have been relaid as a result of which the rainwater recedes into Thirumagal Nagar making it impossible for the residents to step out of their homes,” said Arun Kumar, a resident.

Also, the area lacks proper bus facility. Numerous buses stopped operating over time and the nearest bus stop is located at least one km away. MTC rejected their plea saying it is not feasible to extend the route.

When contacted, an official from the Town Panchayat said Rs 75 lakh was assigned for mending roads and SWDs that are in a poor condition. “We completed the work in four areas and within six months time, we will take up the issues of other areas too. But, nothing can be done about the underground sewage system as it will cost over Rs 6 crore and we do not have enough funds,” he said.