Residents cry foul over officials’ inattentiveness

Locals claim that despite repeated pleas by health officials, their neighbourhood continues to be a breeding ground for mosquitos and other insects. 

Speaking to DT NEXT, social activist Mohan Ram, a resident of Thiruninravur said that their quiet neighbourhood was plagued by several civic issues including overflowing sewage in the streets and garbage dumped by the roadside. 

“Thiruninravur area consists of 18 wards but there is no underground drainage facility in any of the wards. As a result, several apartment complexes that have recently sprouted let out untreated sewage onto the streets causing a very unhealthy environment for the residents,” Mohan Ram said. 

He also added that the officials of town panchayat were not even clearing the garbage on a regular basis. 

Nirmal Kumar, ex-secretary of the Thiruninravur area Residents Welfare Association claimed that adding to their woes, the civic officials did not have an efficient garbage collection mechanism. 

“With so much untreated sewage on the streets and garbage overflowing, it is only natural that our area recorded so many fever cases,” he said. 

When contacted, Thiruninravur town panchayat executive officer Ravi Chandran said that several measures were taken to avoid spreading of fever in their jurisdiction. 

“A mobile medical team was sent for inspection every day and steps were taken to investigate sanitation condition on a regular basis. As far as drainage water issue is concerned, complaint was received, and steps have been taken on the same,” he said.  

He also clarified that a dumping yard located in Prakash Nagar was used to store the garbage dumped in their panchayat. 

“We can spread awareness but only locals ensure their neighbourhood is clean,” Ravi Chandran said.