Chennai : The residents of Ramalinga Nagar, First Extension, in Madipakkam are grappling with a severe sewage overflow issue that has persisted for months, culminating in a particularly unbearable situation over the past week. The foul odour from the overflowing sewage has infiltrated homes, posing significant health risks and severely affecting the quality of life in the neighbourhood.
The root of the problem lies in a manhole that has been malfunctioning for an extended period. Despite repeated complaints, the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) has been slow to respond, much to the frustration of the local community. While initial attempts were made to address the issue, including digging up the road to identify the cause, progress has been minimal. As a result, sewage continues to gush from other potholes and manholes, exacerbating the situation.
“The drainage water has been overflowing from the manhole for over a week. When complaints were raised, the Metro Water board dug up the road to find out the cause for the overflow. After that, there’s nothing. There has been no action taken by the department and we’re tired of reaching out to the concerned authority,” lamented a long-time resident. The stagnant sewage has not only led to unbearable living conditions but also poses a significant public health hazard. With the recent intermittent rainfall in the city, the situation has deteriorated further, causing sewage to reverse into homes. Residents are left to endure the incessant stench and potential health risks, despite paying taxes for drinking water and sewerage services.
“Despite paying tax for drinking and sewerage connections, there is no relief. Sanitation has gone for a toss,” fumed another resident. The slow pace of work and the apparent indifference of the CMWSSB workers have only added to the residents’ woes. They have called for the use of heavy machinery to remove the stagnant water and expedite the resolution of the issue. Repeated complaints to the assistant engineer of Ward 186 have gone unanswered, leading to growing frustration among the residents. In a desperate bid for resolution, the residents have now appealed to a senior IAS official, hoping for prompt and decisive action.
“The department should use heavy machinery to remove the stagnated water and rectify the issue. But, it has been carried out at a slow pace, forcing us to reside in a substandard living condition where the sewer smell hits you all day. After the recent intermittent rainfall in the city, the situation has worsened,” remarked a resident. As the community continues to suffer from the ongoing sewage crisis, the urgent need for a swift and effective response from the authorities has never been more apparent. The residents of Madipakkam are calling for immediate action to restore sanitation and improve living conditions in their neighbourhood.
