Leaky underground drainage network irks residents

Madurai: Residents of Bethaniyapuram and Fatima Nagar have urged the corporation to find a permanent solution for sewage water leaking from the underground drainage pipelines. For the last two months, one or other street in Bethaniyapuram has been flooded with sewage water leaking from drainage pipelines. The residents said that improper silting of drainage channels and manholes are the reason behind the issue. K Ganesan, a social activist said, “Corporation workers are silting the specific manhole after a complaint is made, officials should give a permanent solution as the next street gets affected in a few days.” The residents also complained about changing the location of the lifting station as the gradient of sewage flow to the station is improper which results in slow flow of sewage water. Ganesan said that residents have suggested shifting the lifting station near Vaigai bank. Six months ago, CPI(M) cadres submitted a petition to the corporation commissioner to change the place of the lifting station and widen the Anna Main street on which the station lies as the road is used to divert traffic from the Theni Highway Road. Murugesh Pandian, a CPI(M) functionary and resident of Bethaniyapuram said, “A road is sanctioned under TURIF for our ward 63, but corporation officials didn’t lay the road reasoning that it will be laid in the next phase. We have also demanded to renovate the park near the lifting station as it has been ruined.”