Streets turn into pools at Sri Lakshmi Nagar

Coimbatore: The streets of Sri Lakshmi Nagar near Kavundampalayam were inundated with rainwater on Tuesday when the city received incessant rain.

Local residents have demanded the city corporation to relay the roads and construct storm water drains in the area.

L Santhosh Kumar, a resident, says, “Every time it rains the roads turn into pools. It usually takes two to three days for the water to drain as there aren’t any storm water drains in the area. It is extremely difficult for pedestrians and motorists to use the streets if there is waterlogging. Motorists often fall down as the streets become slippery.”

While the area has more than 150 families, 20-30 of them, who are living at the rear end of the three streets, are the most affected.

Santhosh says the situation has been the same ever since the roads were dug to lay drinking water pipelines in the area two years ago. “The dug-up areas were not restored properly and the condition of the remaining part has deteriorated over a period of time. Now, it looks more like a mud road. It is difficult to use the roads even on a normal day.”

The roads were laid by the city corporation about 12 years ago.

Pointing out that some of the residents had tried to level the road with construction debris and sand in front of their houses, Santhosh says this has only made the situation worse for the two-wheeler riders.

Another resident, Wilson Jose, says autos and taxis are not ready to come to their area because of the poor condition of the roads and they are forced to walk more than a kilometre to access public transport. “We have made several representations to the city corporation officials. Despite assuring us to take necessary steps every time, nothing has changed on the ground till date.”

When contacted, a city corporation official said they had submitted a proposal to lay road in the area and were awaiting approval. “The road laying work is expected to commence in a month.”