‘Waterlogging is a new problem on Karukku Old Road in Ambattur’

Karukku Old Road in Ambattur has been inundated ever since the onset of this North East Monsoon last week. This was the case last rainy season also, when the road was under sheets of water for days together. Water receded days after the rains subsided. To be precise, after the rainy season.

In the case of this road, pumping out water using motors does not help, as water stagnation recurs following the next spell of rains.

It may be noted, this road never witnessed waterlogging until two years ago. Even during a torrential downpour water will flow into a pond situated on this road. But when Greater Chennai Corporation constructed a compound wall around the pond around two years ago, the road witnessed waterlogging, and the problem recurs monsoon after monsoon.

Now, the road witnesses waterlogging even for a light shower. The natural flow of water is affected. The compound wall blocks the water flow into the pond.

This is causing considerable inconvenience to the residents. Around 100 families are living here. Further, there is no other alternative road to enter or exit Karukku Old Road. This waterlogging issue is giving a conducive environment for snakes and other venomous reptiles.

Last year, there were a couple of instances of an ambulance being unable to drive through this stretch. Residents of this road have made several complaints to Greater Chennai Corporation seeking corrective measures such as creating provisions for water to flow into the pond. But our efforts were to no avail.

K N Srinivas is a resident of Karukku Old Road