Citizen Connect: Ongoing stormwater drain works for over a month irk 14th Street residents in Balaji Nagar

The residents living on the 14th Street of Balaji Nagar in Anakaputhur claim that they cannot access the way to the main road due to the delay in stormwater drain works in their area.

The street, which is famous for its Lord Vinayakar Temple attracts many elderly visitors from in and around Anakaputhur on a regular basis. Additionally, there is an ATM which is the only money lending machine available in Balaji Nagar which consists of more than 20 streets in and around.

Though the residents do not object to the stormwater drain works, the delay in completing the project, irks the residents who are unable to access the roads and have lodged several complaints with the officials at the Anakaputhur Municipality.

“The work started almost a month back. However, the project is not yet completed and it is very difficult for us to use the main road, which is an important junction to buy vegetables, provisions and stationeries,” said P Sriram Radhakrishnan who lives on the 14th Street. He also added that many senior citizens have to travel for at least 500 metres or more to reachto the temple every day. According to the resident, despite the frequent visits by the Municipality officials to monitor the project, the work is yet to be completed.

Another resident, K Gopalan, a retired teacher and resident of Balaji Nagar complained that the Municipal authorities had promised them that all the construction work would be completed within two weeks after the work had started. “During the rainy season, we need to wade through knee deep water and reach to Balaji Nagar 12th Street,” he added.

The problem not only affects the residents but also the vendors. S Saraswathi, a flower vendor, who deliver flowers at the door steps of the houses on 14th Street also pointed out that she has to take a longer route to deliver flowers for the residents. She also said that due to the work delay.

A senior official from Anakaputhur Municipality said that the concrete construction works are getting delayed due to the rain. He also said that the cause of delay is due to works such as digging, laying pipe and putting concrete cement slabs cannot be done simultaneously “Even people do not cooperate with us for the project that will be useful for the public who are facing floods every winter,” the official added.