The Hindu : MKB Nagar residents concerned at new stormwater drain

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jan 07, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

MKB Nagar residents concerned at new stormwater drain

Construction of a new stormwater drain on 16th Cross Street at MKB Nagar has resulted in a cesspool of sewage, causing water contamination. — Photo: S. Thanthoni

CHENNAI JAN. 6. While residents in many parts of Chennai are concerned over incomplete projects, the construction of a new stormwater drain (SWD) has become a cause of concern for residents of the West Cross Street, MKB Nagar.

They have been waging a battle for nearly a decade against discharge of sewage into the drain in the northern side. The new drain, costing Rs. 15 lakhs, was being laid adjacent to a drinking water pipeline and other underground cables. The project covers about 10 streets, including 16th and 17th Cross Streets, and Ashok Leyland Quarters.

The president of the LIG Flat Owner's Welfare Association, P.H.V. Pathy, said several households in Rajiv Gandhi Nagar converted the existing SWD into a sewage outlet.

Despite provision of a main sewer in the area, the sewage from these households is being discharged into the drain as it is convenient for houses without individual sewer connections.

About 60 families on the 18th Cross Street have been on the receiving end as their drinking water sumps are near the SWD, which have now become a cesspool of polluted water.

The association secretary, K.Munirathnam, said as the sumps were located only six feet near the drain, sewage seeped through and polluted potable water in the sumps last monsoon. As appeals to residents of Rajiv Gandhi Nagar and officials of civic agencies proved futile, association members mobilised about Rs. 20,000 for relocating the water pipe to prevent contamination. "Just when we felt relieved over the problem being solved, the construction of a new SWD near the drinking water line has added to our anxiety," P. Parimala, a resident said. The area is already surrounded by SWDs on the northern and eastern sides of the colony. "Why cannot the existing SWD be cleaned instead of constructing a new one?" M.S. Sukumar, a resident, asked.

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