The host of civic issues in ward 36 have left residents extremely dissatisfied with many of them frequently resorting to filing complaints and raising these issues at official forums.
Those living in areas such as Sivagami Ammmaiyar Colony, Sastri Nagar, Sharma Nagar and MKB Nagar have reported problems relating to streetlights, sewage overflow, inadequate sweeping of streets, traffic congestion due to stormwater drain work on Erukkenchery High Road and high mosquito density in the area. Even as pollution from the industrial estate in Vysarpadi has come down, proximity to the Kodungaiyur dumpyard has had an impact on public health of the residents in the area.
On Friday, hundreds of residents thronged the Amma Thittam camp organised in the area. But, some of the residents at the camp said the officials were not responding to their request for services and were only misleading them. Officials claimed that some residents were unable to make use of such welfare schemes because of lack of awareness.
Councillor N.M. Baskaran said such camps were being organised frequently in the ward to help residents. “The number of residents participating in each of the camps is very high. Many residents have gathered to get certificates for school and college admission,” said Mr. Baskaran.
The ward has a number of good schools, attracting many students from the neighbourhood. “Students of schools such as Don Bosco School and St. Joseph’s School are unable to walk on the roads. Sewage overflow is a problem. The Corporation blames Metrowater. But Metrowater is unable to help us,” said a resident.
Mr. Baskaran said various line agencies have completed civic infrastructure development works over the past few years. “Flooding came down last year because of the improvement of Captain Cotton Canal,” said Mr. Baskaran.
Bus shelters were commissioned in the ward last year. But, the request of residents to have a direct bus service to areas such as Koyambedu is yet to be implemented. Residents also said LED streetlights have not been commissioned in many streets of the ward.
A resident of Seventh Street Sharma Nagar Quarters said the streetlights were damaged. Officials are claiming that there are no workers to rectify the damaged streetlights,” the resident said. Corporation officials claimed that the poor civic condition was due to the rise in frequency of pilferage of the civic facilities in the area.
