Exasperated by frequent sewage overflow, Khajamalai residents in Tiruchi take to the streets

Khajamalai residents staging a road roko in Tiruchi on Saturday.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Residents of Khajamalai blocked the road near TVS Nagar bus stop on Saturday, alleging that the Tiruchi Corporation had failed to address frequent underground drainage issues in the area.

Khajamalai area witnesses frequent blocks in the pumping lines of the underground drainage network, leading to bursts. When the pipes burst, a portion of the road is damaged and sewage overflows, raising a stink in the nearby areas.

Similarly, during the recent rainfall, the houses were filled with sewage due to the block in the sewers, posing a health hazard to residents. Although the civic body undertakes repair work, the problem keeps resurfacing with no sign of a permanent solution being found.

To condemn the negligence of the Corporation, Khajamalai Vijay, councillor of Ward 60, led the protest. Mayor M. Anbazhagan rushed to the spot and held negotiations with the protesters. He assured them that the damaged pipelines would be repaired and the storm-water drains revamped within a month. Satisfied with his response, the protesters dispersed from the spot. Later, he instructed the officials to expedite the repair work that had been taken up in the area.