T Nagar residents talk to MK Stalin

Chennai: Distressed T Nagar residents, who have decided to opt for Nota in the upcoming Assembly elections, on Thursday briefed DMK leader M.K. Stalin about the perennial issues in the constituency that have remained unsolved for more than a decade.

Among the various issues raised were improper sewer system, shortage of drinking water, power cuts and traffic congestion. Once a preferred residential settlement, problems started cropping up after T Nagar became a hub of commercial establishments.

Pointing out the demands, association member, V.S. Jayaraman said the sewer system need to be revamped at the earliest. “The entire system laid during British era no more caters to the mushrooming population. Commercial establishments dump food waste in stormwater drains and sewer lines,” he added.

Forget car free Sunday  concept, T Nagar residents find it tough to even to dream of a free pathway, which once prevailed here. “I used to play cricket on Usman Road. With greenery surrounding the place, it was the best place to live. Can anyone think of a hassle free walk on the road now?” questioned association secretary, B. Kannan who had been living here for more than 40 years.

Residents have been crying foul regarding encroachments on the narrow service road on Usman Road and yet no measures were taken. “I take a detour of two kilometers via Burkit Road and Panagal park to reach my residence on Ramanathan Street,” said Basheer, a resident.

Incessant complaints about pollution have gone unheeded with both, Chennai Corporation and Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) blaming each other. “While TNPCB officials said they would not tackle domestic pollution, corporation officials said that it is not their duty,” added Kannan. The constituency’s DMK candidate S.N. Kanimozhi took the initiative in organizing the meeting with Stalin, who promised the voters to bring a change.