Times of India Trichy 4.9.2018: Clear storm water drains in city, residents tell Corpn

Times of India Trichy 4.9.2018

Clear storm water drains in city, residents tell Corpn

tnn | Sep 4, 2018, 00:36 IST

 

Several open drainage canals running along the arterial roads in the city are in urgent need of attention from the authorities as solid waste including plastic materials land on the open canals clogging major storm water drains. Residents have asked the civic body to cover the drains with slabs and clear the clogs periodically.

With only less than 30% of the city covered under Underground Drainage System (UGDS), residents and commercial establishments use the storm water drains as drainage carriers. Commercial establishments bordering the 4.5-acre central bus stand have been largely relying on the drainage canal running along McDonalds Road, Royals Road, Reynolds Road, and Lawsons Road that ends in the Uyyakondan canal. As the major drain points have filters to prevent solid waste from entering the canals, the drain channels remain clogged with solid waste trapped in the filter gates. "Plastic waste floats on the drainage channel near Lawsons Road. People should refrain from dumping solid waste in drainage canals," said Dr M A Aleem, member, Trichy District Welfare Fund Committee. Besides the Cantonment locality, storm water drains serve as drainage carriers in Thillai Nagar, Thennur High Road, and Sasthri Road.

Even as the civic body has a specialised vehicle to remove solid waste from storm water drains without letting workers to step into it, residents said that drains were not periodically cleared. "Under the Solid Waste Management Act 2016, we have planned to penalise erring residents polluting drains by dumping solid waste. Gradually, the open drains will be covered with slabs," an official source with the civic body said.