Deaths expose 'dangerous' RR Nagar

On some lanes, pits were being bored to install the wires underground, even as the rains lashed throughout the day. But for the residents, this was all too little, too late. 

The anger was evident, as minor skirmishes broke out between the residents of the housing tenements and workers, who were merely following instructions. Varalakshmi, a resident of F Block, said that the people had informed the TNEB office many times. “We had called them, telling that the junction boxes were exposed, and it could be a hazard for the public. But once they found out where we called from, we received callous treatment. We even called the day before, but the officials said they couldn’t send workers since it was raining. Is it not raining now? Yet, work is underway. It took such a painful incident for the authorities to act,” said Anand, a coolie. 

The tenements in RR Nagar are in a dilapidated condition, with water stagnation in huge craters on the main road. Pointing to the transformer, Anand added, “The two wires behind the transformers run on the open ground and provide electricity to the three blocks that lie on the right side. Since this is an open space outside the houses, many children run around and play here, putting them at risk of electrocution during rainy season. But this has not been addressed despite repeated complaints. In addition, the work that is going on is purely a knee-jerk reaction, to appease the public. One heavy spell of rain and the junction box will be on the ground, putting the residents in  danger once again.” 

The residents are employed as daily wage workers, while women work either as domestic help or are engaged as temporary conservancy workers at the Manali zone of the Greater Chennai Corporation. While they clean the streets of Chennai, their residences are squalid, with garbage strewn openly. Pointing to a mound in the backyard, covered with broken bits of construction debris, Sivagami, a domestic worker and resident, said that this was previously an open sewer. “The children from the locality play in this area. The open sewer could be hazardous as anyone can fall inside. We picked up construction debris and fallen logs of trees to close the sewer. No official comes forward to enquire about our welfare, though we work towards the welfare of others,” said the resident, who has been living here for 15 years. 

Many of the women are afraid to leave their children home during the rainy season, while they venture out to earn their meagre wages. “We are living in constant fear – the buildings have aged, and the edifice could fall off anytime. There are exposed wires everywhere. At work, we are worrying about our children’s safety,” concluded Varalakshmi, another resident.