Garbage bin and overflowing sewer near tea stall irk Choolaimedu residents

“A few months ago, the underground sewage line overflowed on Sivan Koil Street where Bharatheeswarar Colony Second Street joins the street. After several weeks of apathy, the Metrowater official attended the problem and laid new manhole at the spot. The sewage started to overflow from Thursday,” M Divya, a resident of Sriramapuram in Choolaimedu said.

Explaining her plight, she has to undergo while walking on the road, Divya added that the fast-moving vehicles would splash sewage stagnated on potholes. “The odour is unbearable and there are some eateries near the spot. Adding to the woes, a garbage bin has been placed near the overflowing spot. Garbage are strewn around the bin mixes with the sewage,” she said.

Shop keepers on the street also expressed their discontent citing that they are in the brink of losing their business. “Customers are hesitating to come to the shop and buy food items due to the bad smell. No one would like unhygienic condition outside the shops where they buy food items. The Metrowater official should take permanent measures to stop sewage overflowing,” a shop owner, on the condition of anonymity said.

During peak hours, several vehicles use this street to avoid the main road traffic. The road connects Choolaimedu, Arumbakkam and Kodambakkam. Sivan Koil Street and Vanniyar Street are narrow creating bottleneck near their junction. Vehicles would be cramped up for at least 15 minutes there.

“As the road already has several bottlenecks, the sewage overflow and damaged manhole has become another bottleneck, as the spot is much closed to Sivan Koil Street and Vanniyar Street junction,” M Vimal, a motorist said. When DT Next visited the spot, on Thursday, sewage water was seen stagnant on the road and two-wheeler riders were struggling to avoid sewage water.

When contacted a Metrowater official, he said that the Board would take action to remove the clog in the underground sewer line and repair the damaged manhole. “We will also take steps to prevent overflowing in future,” he added.