Residents of Old Washermenpet, Chennai, have voiced growing concerns over the prolonged replacement of underground sewage pipelines in their locality. The Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) initiated the project over six months ago, but its slow progress has caused significant disruption and inconvenience. The road, a critical link between commercial hubs in the area, has become largely impassable, forcing commuters to take longer routes to access the main road.
The issues extend beyond mere inconvenience, as sewage overflow and stagnation have become common occurrences, exacerbating the area’s sanitation problems. The replacement work, which began after numerous complaints from residents, was aimed at addressing these issues. The affected areas include Singara Garden Street in Old Washermenpet and Somu Chetty Street in Royapuram, key thoroughfares connecting GA Road and MS Koil Street.
Residents initially welcomed the initiative, hoping it would resolve the persistent problem of sewage overflow from residential buildings. However, the slow pace of work has led to widespread disappointment and frustration. R Ramesh, a local resident, expressed concerns over the project’s stagnation, highlighting the daily challenges faced by pedestrians, motorists, and especially schoolchildren who must navigate detours to reach their destinations. He stated, “When the department started the work, it was a relief for the residents as they thought the overflowing sewage would stop from the residential buildings. However, the snail pace of work led to disappointment to the residents, pedestrians and motorists, especially school children detoured every day to reach their respective schools.”
The situation has worsened as the stalled work has turned parts of the area into dumping grounds for garbage and debris, contributing to poor solid waste management and unhygienic conditions. Despite the area’s importance as a connector between Royapuram and Old Washermenpet, the local authorities have yet to expedite the pending work. With the onset of the northeast monsoon expected in the coming months, residents fear a recurrence of sewage overflow, another concerned resident, noted the urgency of the situation, stating, “With the onset of northeast monsoon likely in the next two months, there will be sewage overflow again. When reached out to the assistant engineer of the metro water board they gave a lethargic response that since it is a pipeline linked during the British period, it might take a while to complete the work. We urge the department concerned to replace the pipe within a month to prevent sewage stagnation on the streets.”
The residents have called on the CMWSSB and other relevant authorities to prioritise and accelerate the completion of the pipeline replacement. The community’s appeal underscores the need for efficient infrastructure management to prevent further inconvenience and ensure a healthy living environment. The situation remains tense as locals await a response and concrete action from the authorities. The neutrality of the report reflects the collective voice of the residents, advocating for a swift resolution to a pressing civic issue.
