School ground in Anakaputhur turns into haven for anti-socials

CHENNAI: Amid scarcity of playgrounds for the city schools, a playground situated in Balaji Nagar in the Anakaputhur Municipal Corporation area has become a haven for anti-social elements.

Residents around the ground also complain that indiscriminate dumping of garbage also poses health hazards for the locals. The playground belongs to a temple near here. It was handed over to the Anakaputhur Government School for conducting physical activities for the students. However, it was not used properly by the institution, which is now a den for anti-social elements. Illegal activities like consuming alcohol and playing cards are a regular scene there.

S Murthy, a resident and housing promotor, in that area, rued that despite several complaints, police have not taken any concrete action against the encroachers. “Just for the sake of complaint, they (police) will visit the place a couple of times and there is no regular patrol,” he added.

A senior official from the Anakaputhur Municipal Corporation admitted that the ground was not maintained properly by the school and therefore, various civic issues have increased. “During the winter season the full ground area will be filled with knee-deep rainwater,” he said adding “the authorities have also raised the issue with the higher officials in the department concerned.”

P Anand Kumar, another resident living near the ground, also complained that garbage throw there attracts many stray dogs, which creates problem for the locals. “Adding to the woes, the stray dogs chase motorists, especially during night time, who pass through a road adjacent to the ground,” he added.