Government Decleared holiday for JAL cyclone really helps and made happy for the residents of Palikaranai, Chennai
In the absence of adequate facilities to drain rainwater, lack of proper maintenance and an indifferent attitude from the various arms of the government, several hundred residents of a locality in Pallikaranai have been suffering for years on account of the pathetic condition of roads.
There are three main roads, 10 streets and some more cross streets that run through and connect all areas of Kamakoti Nagar in Pallikaranai. Formed as a neat layout about a decade ago, residents began to move into apartment complexes and their own independent houses about six years ago when the condition of roads was good.
However, now the residents of the locality are angry and upset with the Directorate of Town Panchayats and the Kancheepuram district administration for letting them down as the streets are no longer in a motorable condition. Even the three main roads are not entirely motorable, while 10 streets are full of potholes.
The recent showers had worsened the situation with sharp, protruding gravel, combined with layers of slush, making it miserable for pedestrians, especially schoolchildren and senior citizens.
Residents pointed out that vehicles suffered extensive damage.
According to office-bearers of Sri Kamakoti Nagar Plot Owners and Residents Welfare association, the natural gradient was such that rainwater entering their locality from Velachery Main Road, Pallavaram Thoraipakkam Radial Road and neighbouring localities had to flow out through the northeastern corner before emptying into Pallikaranai marshland and subsequently, the ‘Okkiyam maduvu.'
During the construction of a flyover at Pallikaranai junction, a stormwater drain on the margins of Velachery Main Road was damaged, adding to their woes.
Encroachments along the natural course of water and inadequate culverts contributed to the water stagnation.
The residents said that neighbouring localities had better quality of roads and wondered why they were being discriminated. Incidentally, cement concrete surfaces were provided without an exception in Kamakshi Nagar, located at the tail-end of Kamakoti Nagar. Urging the Kancheepuram district administration and the Directorate of Town Panchayats to intervene without any further delay, the residents said they could consider identifying the worst-affected stretches and carry out improvement works at least on them.
According to government officials, they were not discriminating against any one locality and it was just a matter of time before improvement works were taken up in Kamakoti Nagar, which came under Ward No. 2 of Pallikaranai Town Panchayat.
Conceding that the streets were not re-laid for more than five years, authorities said funds crunch was also to be blamed for the quality of amenities, not just in Kamakoti Nagar, but also other localities of the town panchayat.
Update:
Tamilnadu government declared holiday for Schools and Colleges in Chennai ,Tiruvarur, Thiruvallur and Cuddalore districts on 07th December 2010. - 07/12/2010
