The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : In Ambattur, cave-ins leave residents jittery

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jun 16, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

In Ambattur, cave-ins leave residents jittery

K. Lakshmi

Residents complain of extensive damage to several roads

CHENNAI: A 60-year-old woman slipped and fell into a pit after the earth caved in on Kumaran Street, Ram Nagar in Ambattur on Wednesday. She was one of the four persons who have fallen into such pits in last two months due to improper filling in of the pits after pipelines were laid as part of the underground drainage project.

The sudden caving in of the earth on several stretches is a danger to road-users. Residents, who were upset over the slow progress of the drainage work, now have fresh reasons to worry.

S. Jyothi of Ram Nagar says "it is difficult to walk down the street, especially during nights due to fear of getting trapped in these hidden pits." Manholes constructed almost a foot above the road level also pose a threat to motorists.

Residents of Krishnapuram and Ram Nagar complain that work on many roads is incomplete and project has come to a standstill in some of the wards. A member of Krishnapuram Residents' Welfare Association says that roads, including Ramdas Street and Pattammal Street, were damaged due to digging.

Moreover, some streets, including Loganathan Street, were not included in the project. The delay is due to lack of funds, he alleges.

G.Natarajan, president of Ambattur Consumers' Association said a resident fractured his leg as he fell into a pit on Vasuki Street in Krishnapuram. Motorists have tough time negotiating several roads in Ram Nagar such as Kaveri Street and Anna Street.

He complained that underground telephone cables were damaged during the pipeline laying work.

Mr. Natarajan demanded that the roads be re-laid, and the work done be supervised by officials. "We don't have a choice than to demonstrate for our grievances to be looked into," he added.

Residents also recall that municipality collected Rs.7,500 from each house for the project and want the project completed soon.

Local councillors said that the long-pending Rs.40-crore project was taken up seven months ago. One councillor alleged that funds were not sanctioned by the Tamil Nadu Urban Finance and Infrastructure Development Corporation, as the local body did not comply with the norms.

Allegations denied

But, municipal authorities denied the allegations made by the councillors and said work was being carried out in segments.

A municipal official said that of the 19 wards approved for the project, work was near completion in five wards and the remaining wards would be taken up soon.

Complaints on damaged roads would also be looked into, he added.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu