New storm water drains are the butt of jokes

CHENNAI:  Tharamani surely presents a case study for development theorists, on how a swath of land can get left behind from the tearing growth that happens around it. Besides that, it could possibly also present itself as a case study for any group studying the spread of communicable diseases. If being a low-lying area and the resulting stagnation of rain water were not enough, locals complain the storm water drains that have been built in the area have worsened the problem rather than remedy it.“Sometimes, I get the feeling the drains were designed and built to be in a permanently blocked state,” says Soundarapandian, a grocer in Pallipattu. “Even when the Corporation makes attempts to unblock the drains, it is of little help. They take the garbage out and leave it right next to the drain, and the drain gets blocked again.” he says angrily.In another part of Tharamani, the newly-built storm water drains are the butt of jokes. “The drain’s bottom is one foot below ground level. The drain rises three feet above the road level. I may not be an engineer, but even I know that is stupid.” says Pari, who sells tea from a push cart in the area.Most who come to work or study in institutions along the stretch crib that the drains have done little to serve their purpose. “Earlier, the water used to drain faster. But now, the drains on the side of the road block the water from flowing away,” said a scholar of the Institute of Mathematical Sciences.