Flooded stretch of the road
The flooded stretch of the road leading to Kathiravan Gardens in the city.Residents in Kathiravan Gardens, a nearly 10-year-old layout near Ramanathapuram in the city, are living through the fear of flooding after the recent spell of heavy rain.After torrential rain on Monday and then on Wednesday, the colony’s main road link – the 60 Feet Scheme Road – is a shambles. The less than one-km stretch connects Tiruchi Road with Nanjundapuram Road.Close to a length of 200 ft is under water after heavy rain. “There is no way for the water to drain,” says R.J. Lawrence, a resident. “The road level is below that of the Sanganur Canal’s bund. Whenever there is a heavy downpour, rainwater and the water that overflows from the canal flood our colony,” he laments. S. Senthil, another resident, says he could not drive home in his Maruti van on Wednesday night because of stagnant rain water and slush. “My vehicle got stuck on Tuesday night. So, I did not have the courage to enter my colony on Wednesday night after another spell of rain,” he says.Mr. Senthil parked his vehicle at a marriage hall and tried to walk home with his wife and child. But, a look at the flooded and pitch-dark road forced him and his family to spend the night at the marriage hall.“There was no light and we were aware of the dangers posed by snakes. So, we decided to spend the night in the hall and return home in the morning,” he narrates. Mr. Senthil had to walk home on Thursday morning as slush and stagnant water discouraged driving. He had to walk back to the marriage hall and take his vehicle to get back to work.
The residents say there are many potholes on the road and flooding means risk to life or limbs. The lack of streetlights adds to their agony. S. Sivanandham, a resident, says: “The lights are said to have been sanctioned for our colony a year ago. But, we do not understand why they have not been installed till now.”Mr. Sivanandham wonders why an approved layout (in Ward No.7 under the East Zone of the Coimbatore Corporation) should suffer such neglect. Mr. Lawrence points out that there is virtually no storm water drainage in this area. “We have to wade through slush till water dries,” he says. This problem occurs every year. When it is severe, only trucks can use the road. Many two-wheeler riders have fallen and got injured because of the slippery surface or heavy slush.
Mr. Senthil says women go through the ordeal of carrying children to school on this road and run the risk of falling.“There are daily instances of women slipping and falling along with the children on the road,” he claims. Besides, the stagnation of rain water mixed with sewage poses health hazards to the people living in the colony.There is the danger of the entire colony getting cut off because of flooding on the culvert across the Sanganur Canal, he says. “If it gets damaged, then no one can get into the colony or get out.”This situation is largely because of the lack of an alternative access, the residents say. Mr. Sivanandham alleges that an alternative road is blocked by unauthorised constructions. The residents plan to make a fervent appeal to the Mayor and Corporation officials for a permanent solution.
