Misery in Madipakkam

CHENNAI: Residents of Ramalinga Nagar extension, along the Ramalinga Nagar Main Road and First Street, Madipakkam, are a worried lot. All three roads have not been re-laid after they were dug up several months ago for laying sewer pipes. Speaking to residents, we learn that they have been facing severe flooding and transport problems over several years, and the arrival of monsoons adds to their misery.

Their anxiety is understandable. The junction where the Ramalinga Nagar Main Road and First Street meet is in a bad shape. That entire 400ft stretch consists of houses from plot no.17 to 30, and it’s a challenge to commute daily. Underground sewage works have been going on for the past 6-7 years, but still a small unfinished stretch on the main road is delaying the laying of roads, claims a resident at the junction.

“The corporation authorities have constructed a storm water drain on one side of Ramalinga Nagar Main Road. But because of sewage works, the single way for rain water to flow out has been blocked due to silt and other materials found in the storm water drains. This causes water stagnation in the drains,” explains Jagannathan. Moreover, vacant plots on First Street adjacent to the houses provides ample ground for water to stagnate, thus allowing unchecked breeding of overgrown weeds, mosquitoes, water snakes and other insects. There was even a recent case of dengue in the street, claims a resident.

These problems are compounded by the Metrowater pumping station at the end of the road. From here, Metrowater lorries supply water to Velachery and other areas in Madipakkam, and crossing through the muddy slosh, they make the road conditions even worse. “At the corner of the street connecting to the main road, there is a deep 2 ft pothole...among many others. Though a few days ago the corporation filled it up with building rubble, the passing lorries make it worse again,” rues Jagannathan, adding that at least 200 lorries go and come a day. “If a concrete road is laid, this problem could have been minimised at least to a little extent,” he adds.  

Because of the overflow and spillage from the water lorries, the junction is a muddy slush throughout the year, irrespective of rains or sunshine. “The water is there about 3-4ft on either side of the road from the water lorry overflow. It is also a huge waste of water,” complains Patricia Deans, who has been residing here for the past 23 years. A few residents pooled money from their pockets, and fill rubble into the depressions. “Eventually that also failed, once the lorries started coming, they continued to make ditches. Offices nearby vacated. Even taxis hesitate to come here, ” she rues, leaving us with the question about the situation in emergencies.

The Deans family has raised the level of their house by over 6 ft in the past 23 years. “How many times can you prevent your belongings from getting damaged? Even during the peak summer, these roads are never dry!” she laments.  

“School children are dropped of faraway because no vans come in here. After the digging for drainage work several years ago, it has not been re-laid or maintained yet,” laments Shankar, a shop-owner on Ramalinga Nagar Main Road,Speaking to the Zone 14 corporation office, an official says as the two roads in questions required deep sewer lines the road construction took long. “All other 350 roads in the area have been laid. In these particular roads, the work just got over and we have sent road approval tenders last week,” he says. “We are expecting the tender to be approved any time this week.”

When we conveyed this to the residents, they were dismissive. Until the roads are relaid in a way that water-lorries wouldn’t ruin them, it looks like there’s nothing much corporation officials can say that would pacify them.