A well of problems plague Mudichur residents

CHENNIAI: An unused well on the ground on the roadside in Goodwill Nagar near Mudichur is an accident waiting to happen to the residents and motorists.

Residents of Goodwill Nagar in Perungalathur are in constant danger of a mishap, thanks to an unused well on the ground that has been open on the roadside for several years.

“The well gets fully covered by water during the monsoon. We’re scared of navigating the road, as we don’t know where the well is,” lament residents.

John, who runs an NGO, concurred, and added: “We cannot let our children ride bicycles on the road for fear that they might slip and fall inside the well.”

Residents pointed out that the well is filled with water all the time. “There have been times when dogs, cats and other animals have fallen inside the well and died. Even a few kids fell inside a few years ago but they were rescued safely by youngsters in the locality,” they recalled.

Residents lamented that an open well has caused myraid problems. “None of it is addressed by the officials. There are no proper response for them,” they fumed.

George, of Mudichur, said: “We informed the municipal officials about it many times. We’ve asked and even pleaded with them to close the well but there has been no proper response from their side.”

Social activists in the locality have tried to find the owner of the property but in vain. “Since the well is on a private land, we cannot close it by ourselves,” they said.

When contacted, zonal incharge D Kamaraj, said that he was not aware of the issue. “I will soon look into it immediately and take steps to cover the well,” he promised.