Realty firms take toll on Periyapanicheri infrastructure
Residents have been battling against several other civic problems for a long time.
Chennai: Situated in close proximity to Kundrathur, Periyapanicheri town panchayat is facing the wrath of the construction firms as the debris is strewn across the area blocking the narrow roads and causing many accidents.
“Heaps of sand and mortar are left on road by construction workers and when questioned against it, they would say it is just for a day. But numerous constructions happen and several days we cannot step out,” rued Anbazhagan, a member of Periyapanicheri Residents Association.
He added that the issue also leads to accidents causing motorists to skid. Moreover, dusty Periyapanicheri Main Road connecting Porur and Kundrathur is curved at one place and with absence of speedbreakers vehicles often collide.
“Recently, at around six in the morning a cyclist rammed into a speeding lorry which proved fatal for him. Not many people knew about the incident as it happened in the early hours. Another accident happened on Thursday when a lorry and an MTC bus collided. Action by the authorities is imperative” said Pushpalatha, a resident.
Residents have been battling against several other civic problems for a long time. The area is devoid of an underground sewage system and storm water drains. They allege that they have to pay about ', 1,500 to de-sludge their septic tanks when the Gerugambakkam town panchayat that is a stone’s throw away provides de-sludge lorries at a lower cost.
People who cannot afford the lorries let their tanks over-flow, which stinks the road and the mud roads turn slushy making it impossible for the residents to step out of their homes.
Some problem kids in the area complain about are poor facilities in the library which looks more like a witchcraft house with no chairs or fans and no play equipment in the panchayat ground that is often occupied by anti social elements.
When contacted, an official from the Periyapanicheri town panchayat said, “We issue notice to contractors if construction debris is strewn across the roads. Arrangements shall be made by the town panchayat to provide de-sludge lorries at lower cost for now and soon when it becomes a municipality or corporation; storm water drains will be built. Regarding the speed breakers, highways department will be informed.”