Polluted sewage canals with mosquitoes breeding in them have become a common sight for the residents in Shastri Nagar of Erukkancheri. In many small canals, across the city, sewage inflow and dumping trash pave way to mosquito menace in the neighbourhood. As the issue continues to remain, the residents of Shastri Nagar no longer pay heed to the harmful effects of this issue. 

Shastri Nagar near Anna Salai has many small canals; these are connected to the two main canals – the Captain Cotton Canal and Kodungaiyur Canal. Sources say that these two canals, which meander across the city, are polluted by the sewage inflow and the garbage dumped in them. 

The residents claim that the untreated sewage water keeps flowing into these canals and the colour of the water is black, dotted by plastic waste and construction debris. 

Hemraj V, a social activist from North Chennai, says that the problem has become so common that many of the residents choose to ignore the sight. “The partially treated or untreated sewage is let out into this canal for over a month now. This is a common scene in North Chennai. The residents don’t care about it anymore,” he says. 

Kamala G, a domestic worker in the locality, says that the polluted canal has become the breeding grounds for mosquitoes in the area. “Even before the dusk sets in, mosquitoes begin to enter homes. There has to be some action taken against this as soon as possible,” she shares. 

The Kodungaiyur Canal, Link Canal, Buckingham Canal, Captain Cotton Canal, Vyasarpadi Canal and Jawahar Canal come under the Tondiarpet region. A Corporation official claims that robotic excavators have been deployed to clean the canals before the monsoon sets in. “Awareness is also being created to ensure that garbage is not dumped into these channels.” 

A few months ago, DT Next reported on the untreated sewage that was let out by the RK Nagar Pumping Station directly into Buckingham Canal. Following this feasibility studies were conducted for the restoration of the ancient channel. However, until sewage inflows are arrested, restoration will only remain on paper.