Chennai Residents Battle Sewage Flooding After Road Work Buries Manholes
Residents of Annai Theresa Nagar in Ward 32 of Avadi Corporation are facing a severe public health crisis as raw sewage continues to flood their streets. This alarming situation has emerged just six months after their roads were freshly paved, with contractors reportedly laying bitumen directly over existing manholes, effectively burying them and creating a nightmare for maintenance and hygiene.
Council Meeting Highlights Negligence in Engineering Norms
During the Avadi Corporation council meeting held on Friday, the issue was formally raised by a concerned councillor, bringing official attention to the dire circumstances. Investigations reveal that at least ten manholes in the area are now completely buried under layers of bitumen, making routine desilting and maintenance nearly impossible. This negligence has led to drains remaining clogged for months, resulting in severe blockages and causing sewage to reverse flow into homes, raising significant health and hygiene alarms among the local population.
Councillor Points to Basic Engineering Flaws
Ward 38 councillor Megala Srinivasan highlighted the fundamental engineering errors during the road relaying process. She emphasized that standard practices in Chennai and Tambaram involve either raising manholes to road level or leaving them uncovered during resurfacing to ensure easy access for maintenance. "Here, roads were laid without raising manholes or marking access points," she stated, pointing out a clear deviation from established norms.
Srinivasan further criticized the contractors involved, noting that they ignored crucial access to drainage systems. Contractors maintained that their responsibility was solely to relay the road, disregarding the long-term implications for sewage management and public health. This attitude has left residents grappling with unsanitary conditions and increased risks of waterborne diseases.
Health and Hygiene Concerns Escalate
The ongoing sewage flooding has not only disrupted daily life but also poses serious health threats. Stagnant water and raw sewage in residential areas can lead to the spread of infections and environmental contamination. Residents are now calling for immediate corrective measures, including the excavation of buried manholes and proper road resurfacing that adheres to engineering standards.
This incident underscores the need for stricter oversight in municipal projects to prevent such oversights. As Avadi Corporation addresses this crisis, it serves as a cautionary tale for other urban areas undergoing infrastructure development, highlighting the importance of integrating drainage access into road construction plans.
