Cut-and-cover work in Sembakkam commences after monsoon starts

“Though it was one of the most affected areas during 2015 Chennai floods, no storm water drain has been built here since then. It has been a month since the northeast monsoon started and the work has finally begun after multiple complaints to the municipality and the PWD. Water stagnates till the ankle in the area even after a moderate rain and it drains only after the rain stops and sun shines again,” said Vishwanath P, a resident of Chitlapakkam.

Residents said that the storm water drain work was delayed due to lack of alternative traffic route. The work was started only after the authorities chalked out an alternative route for vehicles.

“The work slowed down two months ago and the work was sped up after the monsoon started. So far, the work has been completed on Sethunarayanan Street and Bharathi street,” said Sudharkar KV, another resident.

The municipality has started the work on Pamphan Swamigal Salai and at Maruthupandi Street junction and are expected to complete the work within two weeks. On many streets at Chitlapakkam, the cut-and-cover projects have been left incomplete for more than six months. Residents said that the construction has caused many accidents in the locality.

When contacted, a PWD official said, “There was a legal issue and that caused the delay. The judgment came only recently and the work was started immediately after that. The work will be completed by the endof November.”