Citizen Connect- Official apathy: Unused electric poles left on Choolaimedu street for over a month

“Nearly a month ago, the electricity department had removed the electric poles on the street and replaced it with underground cables. However, the officials did not come again to remove the poles from roadside,” a resident, on the condition of anonymity, said.

When DT Next visited the spot on Thursday, as many as eight damaged electric poles were seen lying on the street near the temple. Despite the devotees sticking a poster on the temple wall exhorting the public to restrain from dumping garbage near the temple, the authorities have dumped the damaged poles. “Even though the temple is under renovation, many devotees from Choolaimedu and Kodambakkam visit the temple. The poles pose danger not only to the motorists but also to the devotees visiting the temple,” the resident added.

Meanwhile, the motorists have to be extra cautious near the temple as the poles have shrunken the already damaged and narrow road.

“All the interior roads in Choolaimedu are damaged and Vanniyar Street is no exception. Corporation officials are yet to attend the road cuts done several months ago. Officials should visit the street and remove all the obstacles,” M Gopi, a two-wheeler rider said.

Gopi pointed out that the electric poles are protracted, and metal portions of the poles are also to be removed. “During evenings, there are chances of mishaps. The officials should act before major incidents happen,” he added.

When contacted, a Chennai Corporation official said that the civic body would ask the concerned department to remove the poles from the street. At the same time, the electricity department officials assured to remove the poles in a couple of days. The residents urged the civic body to remove the garbage and debris that were dumped near the temple.