Residents in the Puthagaram area of Madhavaram, Chennai, are sounding the alarm over a serious public health issue. Sewage frequently spills onto a busy service road from tanker lorries heading to a nearby pumping station. This problem has created a foul-smelling and infection-prone zone for both pedestrians and motorists.
A Persistent Health Hazard
Despite nearly 90% of households in Madhavaram having underground sewer connections, sewage from other areas arrives at the pumping station via lorries. These tankers often leak or spill their contents, turning the road into a hazardous stretch. Residents report that the stench is unbearable, and the risk of infections is high for anyone passing through.
Authorities Ignore Pleas
Local people have repeatedly raised the issue with tanker lorry drivers and officials, but to no avail. T Ravichandran, president of the Vigneswara Nagar residents welfare association, explained that complaints often lead to arguments with drivers. Metrowater officials have shown little interest in addressing the problem, leaving residents frustrated and helpless.
Traffic Congestion Adds to Woes
The sewage spills are not the only concern. The tanker lorries also cause significant traffic congestion on the narrow road. While the pumping station opens around 10 am, large vehicles start queuing from 8 am. This leads to vehicles moving at a snail's pace, disrupting daily commutes and causing further inconvenience.
Broken Promises and Poor Coordination
P Shanmugam, a resident of Puthagaram, expressed exhaustion over the lack of action. He noted that the road is damaged, and there is no coordination between different departments. Despite multiple complaints to the Corporation and Metrowater, the grievance remains unresolved, with authorities failing to take concrete steps.
Official Response and Future Steps
A senior official from Metrowater in the Madhavaram zone has finally acknowledged the issue. The official stated that steps will be taken immediately to address the problem. Instructions will be issued to tanker lorry drivers to ensure proper disposal of wastewater, aiming to prevent future spills and ease the traffic situation.
Residents, however, remain skeptical, given the long history of inaction. They hope that this time, authorities will follow through on their promises to restore safety and cleanliness to their neighborhood.
