SWD works contaminate drinking water pipelines

CHENNAI: Due to the ongoing storm water drain (SWD) work on Pulianthope High Road, sewage and drinking water pipelines were damaged, which has led to groundwater contamination of the area.

Residents have been enduring this for over 8 months. They urged officials to complete the drain work at the earliest and replace the pipelines before the monsoon, which is likely to commence next month.

During the northeast monsoon 2021, due to intense rainfall, the streets in the locality were flooded. The civic body pumped out the rainwater on the main road. But, the interior areas remained inundated for over a week, and residents suffered as drinking water mixed with sewage.

“After several complaints were raised, authorities dug up the road to drain the rainwater. Even that was a failure,” laments Shaik Babu, a resident. “The work for SWD began a while back but it’s going on at snail’s pace. The workers broke sewage and drinking water pipelines, which led to contamination of drinking water. Residents frequently experienced sewage water stagnation even when there was mild rain in the city.”

Though they filed multiple complaints to the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB), no steps were taken to replace the damaged pipes. Residents were forced to change the pipeline to avoid sewage stagnation in the locality.

Residents stated that the underground copper cables were cut and stolen by unknown persons. “After complaints were raised by residents and activists, the respective staff inspected the areas and found that cables were robbed at different locations in Pulianthope High Road area. Recently, workers involved in the act were arrested. We urge authorities to complete the work soon to prevent this from happening again,” said civic activist V Sathiabalan.

The Zonal Corporation officials did not respond to the calls by DT Next.