Residents worry as monsoon preparedness takes back seat

With local bodies across the State focussed on pandemic control measures, the regular monsoon preparation works like the pruning trees, removing old electric cables, cleaning of overhead water tanks and closing stormwater drains have been taken a backseat. The pending civic works would pose risks for the public, warn activists and political party representatives.

 The overhead tanks should be periodically cleaned and chlorinated to prevent water contamination, pointed out Madhavaram MLA legislator S Sudharsanam, charging the civic authorities of ignoring such works. The Metro Water and Greater Chennai Corporation engineers at the ward and zonal levels were not undertaking site inspections, which would pose health and sanitation hazards, warned the MLA.

 The city Corporation had identified more than three dozen old buildings as unfit for public usage. One of them is located adjacent to the civic body headquarters, Ripon Building, rented to a nationalised bank. There are such buildings in Purasaiwalkam market area, said AMMK Central Chennai district secretary Santhanakrishnan, also a former councillor. There are several incomplete stormwater drains left open, which would pose danger to pedestrians during flooding, he added.

 Another spot of bother is Wall Tax Road near MGR Chennai Central railway station where there are electricity junction boxes every half a kilometre, from which live wires can be seen protruding, added Hitesh Ranawat, a resident of Sowcarpet. “The whole of Vepery area is infested with stray dogs chasing morning walkers. Since the lockdown began, the Corporation vehicles involved in anti-rabies vaccination drives and animal birth control programme are not visible,” he added.

 When contacted, an official with the State Disaster Management Department said the government has taken up all the important monsoon mitigation works like strengthening lake bunds, clearing waterways and arranging temporary shelters to shelter those affected by floods. The civic issues raised by the people were minor, he maintained, but added that they would be discussed with civic officials for redressal.