Problem statement: How can we deal with open drainages on roads
Location: The roads in the area surrounding the Lancor apartment complexes, Sholinganallur ***
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The drainages that litter the edges of the roads are a sad, sad sight. Though the crumbly stone slabs cover up most of the sickening sight of putrid sewage, it doesn’t really help mask the unmistakable stench of, well, sewage. It’s something that affects everyone, both young and old alike. Here’s what a few resident have got to say:
Rupa Prasad
35
Female
Housewife Previously residing in Bangalore
1. How frequently do you use these roads?
Everyday.
2. Do the drainages pose a problem while doing so?
Yes. Especially while dropping of my daughter at the bus stop.
3. How does this affect your lifestyle?
It makes me very uncomfortable to go out…but it is necessary that I do since I have a family to cook for.
4. Last year’s flood was a major disaster because of the open drainages. Do you agree? Oh yes. It was horrible. We were stuck in our house and I was very afraid of diseases spreading since there was a contamination of the water.
Alamelu
73
Female
Housewife
Retired teacher; used to teach at Lady Sivaswamy
1. How frequently do you use these roads?
All the time, of course. I’m always visiting the temple in the morning.
2. Do the drainages pose a problem while doing so?
It is hard for us, the elderly, to go around. Especially at night. Since the drainages are not properly closed we have to look where we step.
3. How does this affect your lifestyle?
I have to use the roads every day and that means walking alongside the drainages everyday. It’s especially bad when coming home from the nighttime darshans. It makes me get late to going to the temple and coming back home.
4. Last year’s flood was a major disaster because of the open drainages. Do you agree? My husband and I left as soon as the water level went down because the sewage water had gotten mixed with rainwater and we didn’t want to risk catching anything.
Saranya
27
Female
Housewife
Worked as an assistant prof. At Anna University
1. How frequently do you use these roads?
Whenever I need to visit the shop.
2. Do the drainages pose a problem while doing so?
The drainages are nasty little things that make me feel really sick while getting the vegetables. Even while going on my motorcycle, it is hard.
3. How does this affect your lifestyle?
The open drainages aren’t the only thing that affects me. It is also the condition of the roads and I think it has got to do with drainages. This road was earlier constructed under the Panchayat road and all the builders who built this apartment building. But since it lacked an ‘SIP’ sewage treatment plant , it has been secured under the Greater Chennai Corporation and has since been under construction.
4. Last year’s flood was a major disaster because of the open drainages. Do you agree?
Kind of. It was mainly because of the lake breaching
Indra
64
Female
Housewife
Was previously residing in Mylapore
1. How frequently do you use these roads?
Everyday.
2. Do the drainages pose a problem while doing so?
Yes they do. They are a big problem during rains. And floods.
3. How does this affect your lifestyle?
Not many people visit me anymore.
4. Last year’s flood was a major disaster because of the open drainages. Do you agree?
No. It wasn’t a major disaster only because of the open drainages. It was because the lake got overflowed. The open drainages were a danger to people’s lives because it mixed with the rainwater and it was a potential source of disease. It is one reason why everyone fled.
*** Thank you!
