CHENNAI: The Greater Chennai Corporation’s move to cover storm water drain silt catch pits with mosquito nets in the Tiruvottiyur zone has triggered criticisms and ridicule, with residents questioning the effectiveness of the measure amid persistent illegal sewage connections.
Civic officials, however, maintained that the step was a routine preventive measure to curb mosquito breeding and said the issue had gained traction online only because of the upcoming elections.
Although the drains are meant to carry only rainwater, residents alleged that sewage continues to flow into them due to illegal connections from residential and commercial buildings. They claimed that the mosquito menace has increased only after the construction of the storm water drains.
With complaints pouring in and elections around the corner, officials in the Tiruvottiyur zone have begun covering silt catch pits with mosquito nets. “These nets are used to prevent the increasing mosquito menace,” a zonal-level official said.
Another Corporation official said an increase in mosquito breeding linked to storm water drains had been observed in the zone. “Based on this, senior officials instructed us to install mosquito nets across the zone. Similar practices were followed last year as well,” the official said.
Speaking to DT Next, Ward 4 councillor R Jayaraman noted that there are more illegal connections in the Tiruvottiyur zone when compared to other zones.
The corporation had carried out enforcement drives and levied fines, but often ran into resistance. “When Corporation officials levy fines on households for illegal connections, the public tends to seek the help of local politicians to avoid paying," he said.
Residents remained unconvinced. “Instead of acting against illegal sewage connections, the civic body is taking alternative steps,” said K Kannan of Tiruvottiyur, who said the officials covered silt catch pits near Shanmuganathan Park and surrounding areas at Ellaiamman Koil a couple of days ago.
The Greater Chennai Corporation has a structured penalty system for illegal sewage connections into storm water drains, with fines ranging from Rs 10,000 for ordinary residential buildings to Rs 5,00,000 for commercial apartment complexes.