Citizen Connect: Incomplete storm water drains pose threat to patients, students in Chromepet

The unfinished storm water drain work has left the residents fuming in Chromepet. The work that began six months ago near the Chromepet Government Hospital was stopped abruptly putting patients to suffer. Several school students have to jump across the incomplete storm water drains to cross the stretch with iron bars projecting out making it even more dangerous.

According to the residents, the Highways Department decided to renovate the storm water drains. The work started around October last year and it was stopped two months ago. Ever since the work started, it was progressing at a slow pace, added residents.

While roads have been dug up in several places, works have only been done in parts making commuting very dangerous. “The situation is really worse near the Chromepet Government Hospital in New Colony, Kakalanchavady and Sanatorium housing board as the storm water drain is left open. We see patients struggling every day,” said a resident.

V Santhanam, President of Chromepet Welfare Association, said that the authorities did not plan the work properly. “The officials should have removed the sewage before starting the work. Since it was not done, the water inside has become a mess,” he said.

Santhanam also added that he filed a Right to Information (RTI) application to find out why the work was stopped but the authorities replied that they couldn’t tell the reason. Santhanam said that he had appealed to find the reason.

“We were waiting for the politicians to come to our locality to seek votes. We could have said we would vote only if the problem was solved. But none of them visited our locality,” said Rajeswari, a resident.

The residents also added that they would stage a protest if the work did not resume soon.

When contacted, Pallavaram municipal Engineer K Karupaiah said that the work should be completed by the Highways Department. “We have asked the National Highway to start the work again and hopefully, it will happen soon,” he added.