Vacant plot troubles Adambakkam locals

CHENNAI: A vacant plot of land in Brindavan Nagar in Adambakkam has become a nightmare for the residents.The empty piece of land on Balaji Nagar Main Road has virtually turned into a minidumpyard thanks to the residents of the locality depositing their waste and refuse.People living in close proximity to the plot are having to put up with the foul smell that emanates from the site. Residents say seepage from the dump has polluted the groundwater as well, making it unfit for use.Besides the stench, heaps of domestic waste and plastic pose serious health risk to residents.“The place is adjacent to my home, it resembles a forest with trees and bushes.We have to live in constant fear as the plot has become a habitat for snakes and rodents,” said Sivalingam, secretary, Mahalaxmi Nagar Civic Forum.He said that the land originally belonged to the Royapuram Railway Staff Co-operative Society. It has remained unattended for the past few years due to a dispute between the Chennai Corporation and Royapuram Railway Staff Co-operative Society primarily because it was reportedly earmarked as a playground. The ground is now locked and the keys are in the custody of the Department of Housing, Adyar.“We have made several representations in the past few years to the local authorities to clear the land, but in vain,” added Sivalingam.“We can’t take any steps now because a case relating to the land is in the court, We can proceed only after the court announces its decision,” said Vivekanandan, junior engineer, Division 153, Chennai Corporation.Every spell of rain worsens the situation as the plot attracts a lot of stray dogs to the locality. After a rain, the stench becomes unbearable and the dumpyard turns into a breeding ground for mosquitoes that facilitate the spread of dreadful diseases.Another longstanding problem faced by the residents of Adambakam is water logging. During rainy season, most parts of the area experiences inundation thus inconveniencing the residents. They have appealed to the local civic authorities but all their efforts have proved futile.However, Vivekanandan had a piece of good news for the residents. He said that storm water drains would be laid soon with central government assistance from the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).As if these problems were not enough to put the residents to hardship, they are also having to deal with perennial traffic congestion along the Balaji Nagar Main Road. Presence of many schools in the locality has only compounded the problem.Moreover, most motorists do not stick to the speed limit and indulge in rash driving.“There are many schools in this locality and the traffic during peak hours is chaotic,” says DV Thomas, a retired government employee.“Elderly people like me find it difficult to cross the road. We have requested the corporation officials to lay speed breakers at junctions, wherever necessary. But our requests have fallen on deaf ears,” said Sivalingam.“There are certain procedures to be followed. First, the traffic department has to inspect the roads and give clearance to us. Only then we can take action,” said Vivekanandan.It seems that for every solution to the problems of the Adambakkam residents, there is a roadblock. With officials passing the buck, it is the residents who are at the receiving end.