Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Civic problems galore in Virugambakkam

Photo: K. Pichumani

Polluted: The stretch of Virugambakkam Canal near Sree Sayee Nagar Annexe seen flooded with sewage recently. —

CHENNAI: For over four years now, residents of Sree Sayee Nagar Annexe and the adjoining areas in Virugambakkam have had to put up with sewage inundated streets as the manholes in the area collapse frequently.

Residents said sewage overflowed on First Main Road, Sree Sayee Nagar Annexe, Brindavan Nagar and Sri Ayyappan Nagar.

As Sree Sayee Nagar Annexe connects Vadapalani and Venkatesh Nagar, motorists use it to avoid traffic jams on arterial roads.

To make matters worse, the Virugambakkam canal, a floodwater carrier that flows through the areas, also carries sewage. Residents said though the Water Resources Department recently cleaned the canal, problems persisted as sewage from various areas is dumped into it through pipeline by Chennai Metrowater and illegal constructions.

Sree Sayee Nagar Annexe Residents Welfare Association secretary M.J. Gopalan said choked sewer lines and manhole collapse were recurring problems. The release of sewage directly into the canal added to the woes of residents, forcing them to endure the stench all through the year. The canal is also a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Every time the residents brought up the issue, the authorities concerned said the collapse of sewage chambers at a pumping station in Saligramam led to the problem. The officials had only provided temporary solution, he said.

The residents complained that the Water Resources Department undertook only de-weeding work and did not desilt the canal properly.

P. Ganesan, president of Sree Sayee Nagar Annexe, also complained of damaged roads and garbage pile-up. “We engage sanitary workers to clear garbage and collect Rs.20 a month for its maintenance for several years now as the Chennai Corporation does not clear it,” he said.

Metrowater officials said eight manholes on Kaliamman Koil Street and in Natesan Nagar, Virugambakkam, frequently collapsed. Bids for executing repair works could not be finalised as they were higher than the estimated amount.

Moreover, the clayey texture of the soil made it difficult to execute the repair work. “We have to divert the sewage into the canal to avoid the roads from getting flooded. Motor pumps are used to pump sewage whenever the manholes collapse, a Metrowater official said. The repair work would be taken up in two months.

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