Sewer overflow and waterlogging on interior roads highlight official apathy

“For the last one week, motorists and residents are struggling with the leak from underground sewer line of Sivan Koil Street in Kodambakkam. The spot is a chronic overflow point even during non-rainy days, but rain worsened the situation. Officials are taking only temporary measures rather than finding out the cause and rectifying it,” said M Vishnupriya of Kodambakkam.

The residents of Kolathur are riled that their repeated complaints to the Greater Chennai Corporation and Metro Water about water stagnation and sewage leak on Perundevi Ammal Avenue remain unattended for several days.

“The road is filled with rainwater mixed with sewage. We contacted local officials and also posted on social media tagging senior officials. But no action has been taken. Metro Water should clear the clog and remove the sewage using machines, but is refusing to do so citing non-availability of equipment,” said a local resident.

“Rains stopped more than two days ago but sewage and storm water are not draining. The multi-crore storm water drains constructed by the Corporation have proved to be a failure,” fumed Abdul Khalique of Sheik Mohideen Subedar Street in Dashamakan, whose complaints to officials of Ward 73 and Metro Water have been futile. Ironically, even as his house is now locked due to reverse flow of sewage, he received an SMS from civic authorities starting that his complaint has been resolved.

“The civic officials just spray bleaching powder on stagnant storm water and sewage,” said Sridhar Krishnamurthy from Annai Sathya Nagar, Nesapakkam, raising concerns of drinking water contamination and diseases like cholera.

When contacted, a Metro Water official said the underground sewer lines were blocked and rainwater entered them. “Jet rodding and other machines are deployed to rectify the problem,” he added. Meanwhile, reviewing flood relief measures, Revenue Minister RB Udhayakumar assured necessary assistance for residents from low lying areas. He added that officials have been instructed to take action under Disaster Management Act against those spreading rumours about cyclones.