The Hindu : Uncovered trenches causing hardship to residents

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Apr 28, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu-Chennai

Uncovered trenches causing hardship to residents

By K. Lakshmi

CHENNAI APRIL 27. Residents of 11th Avenue, Ashok Nagar, are at their wits end, waiting for over two months for trenches dug up for construction of stormwater drains in their area to be closed.

One of the residents, R. Swaminathan said: "During the fag-end of January, trenches were dug along the houses covering the entire stretch of 11th Avenue. Though the contractors promised to finish the work within a month, it seems to be progressing at a snail's pace and has caused hardship to the residents".

According to them, an old man and his granddaughter sustained injuries when they fell into one of the open trenches recently. R. Geetha, who lives on the same road, said: "None of the trenches has any warning sign or is even marked with a safety flag. This aggravates the peril for passers-by, especially children".

Since there is not even a makeshift pathway, there are cases of elderly residents who have not left their houses for almost a month.

Residents also complained that they have been forced to park their vehicles on the road as they are unable to take them into their apartment complex. Govind Srinivasan, who lives in the locality, said: "As it is a busy area with a combination of both residential and commercial structures, parking on roads causes many hardships including traffic snarls and fear of theft". Pointing out that the avenue is serving as an important link road following the changes made in the route after the opening of Central Mofussil Bus Terminus, Koyambedu, Mr. Srinivasan said at least 200 vehicles were parked along the road by evening in the absence of an alternative.

According to residents, because of careless digging many household drainage connections have been broken.

Several households in the area had to suffer a power blackout for two days after an underground electric cable was cut.

The civic agencies have been pointing the finger at other departments when residents complain. When contacted, the local Corporation divisional officials said the construction work would be completed in ten days. They said immediate action would be taken to arrest the overflowing sullage and repair broken sewer lines.

Activists point out that negligence by the civic agencies could be proceeded against under the IPC, section 337, where hurt was caused or life endangered.

Affected residents could file complaints against personnel of the Corporation with Police. The section provides for fine or imprisonment or both.

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