For almost 25 years, most streets in the ward had no roads, said S.S. Saravanan, Councillor of ward 73. The ward, which includes Lakshmipuram, Khanpalayam and Rukminipalayam, is a thickly populated residential area which has very less commercial buildings.
“Roads have been laid at a cost of Rs. 90 lakh in Lakshmipuram first to ninth streets. Paver blocks have also been laid on Poosarithoppu Street and other streets with funds from Tamil Nadu Urban Road Infrastructure Project as well as MLA’s Constituency Development Fund,” he said.
However, residents of Poonthottam said that their road, which was dug up for laying pipes for underground drainage under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission, had not been repaired so far.
Damaged roads“The recent rain has left the road muddy and slushy making it difficult for vehicles and pedestrians. Only patchwork has been done following the UGD work and a new road should be laid before the monsoon sets in,” said K.T. Ramesh, a resident of Poonthottam.
The narrow roads of Poonthottam were used by heavy vehicles plying to and from Munichalai and Kamarajar Salai, he said. “Steps can be taken to divert traffic and confine it to the main road as the streets are already narrow and residents are at risk when heavy vehicles keep plying. Apart from this, we have no problems with water supply or the drainage system,” he added and affirmed that basic civic amenities were in place.
Mr. Saravanan said that work would begin shortly on relaying the road in Poonthottam. “Only a few streets are still to get good roads and estimates have already been prepared for road laying. I am planning to ensure that 30 saplings are planted in each of the roads in my ward with protective enclosures around them,” he said.
Garbage dumpyardResidents of Khanpalayam First Street said that their road had become a garbage collection point where conservancy workers from across the ward dumped the waste daily before it is transported in corporation lorries.
“While garbage is collected everyday by the lorries, the residual waste poses a severe threat to the health of residents. There is no dumper bin at this point here as well,” said N. Geetha, a resident.
The lone commercial area is Lakshmipuram, where vessel merchants occupy most of the narrow streets by dumping their wares outside the shops. “It is a trying time for even pedestrians and two-wheelers to use these roads as there is little space left. “As and when the merchants buy second hand vessels, they simply dump them outside the shops which collects through the day and is taken inside only when the shops are shut,” a resident complained.
