Citizen Connect: Bad maintenance of stormwater drain inundates Avadi Housing Board flats with sewage water

The channel was converted into a stormwater drain after industrial waste was let into it. However, it is sewage that runs through the channel most of the year. The residents claim that since it has been years the drain was desilted, the sewage overflows even for sporadic rains that the city has been experiencing now. “The most affected lot are the dwellers of the housing board buildings located in Ram Nagar adjacent to the Paruthipattu lake. The width of the channel gets narrower as it approaches the lake, so the sewage overflows even if there is the slightest of rainfall and floods the streets. It poses a great danger to the senior citizens and children as they are more vulnerable to diseases.” said Loganathan, a college student and resident of Ram Nagar. He also added that a snake entered a house in the locality two days ago and fire personnel were roped in to safely remove the reptile. Since the channel has not been properly maintained, sewage water leaks from the channel into the streets in other parts of Avadi too.

Ramalingam, another resident of Ram Nagar said that the Corporation authorities are reckless in their response when confronted. “They claim that the households have grown manifold and that sewage inflow could not be contained. So, don’t they collect tax from the increased population? Where does all the money go?” he questioned. While the plastic waste blocked the flow for years, the concerned authorities have started the desilting work just a month before the onset of monsoon. “They have also started constructing a new stormwater drain in the wrong time of the year. The monsoon will start in a month and the work will be abandoned. Then, additional funds would be required to desilt the channel again. In this way, the taxpayers’ money gets swindled.” Ramalingam said. Even contractors are upset that they have to bribe both government officials and local politicians before commencing any work, he added.

When contacted, Avadi Corporation officials were not available for their comment.