Tiruvottiyur Residents Demand Flood Protection, Pollution Control And Basic Amenities

Residents of Tiruvottiyur used a public assembly to press for measures covering flooding, industrial pollution, land rights, basic amenities, healthcare and waste management.

The demands were raised at the ‘Tiruvottiyur Makkal Sangamam’, organised by the Federation of North Chennai Residents Welfare Associations (FNCRWA) and the Village Coordination Committee at the Perundalaivar Kamarajar Mandapam on Sunday.

Flood protection and estuary management

Residents sought the raising and strengthening of both banks of the Buckingham Canal by one metre.

They also called for steps to prevent industrial wastewater and thermal power plant ash from entering the canal and estuary.

Another demand was to deepen and widen the Ennore estuary so that Kosasthalaiyar river water could be discharged into the sea.

The demands connect flood prevention with the condition of waterways and the need to control pollution entering the canal and estuary.

Monitoring industrial pollution

The residents sought action against industries violating pollution control rules.

They also demanded continuous monitoring of air, water and soil quality, along with transparent disclosure of the findings.

The demands included regular drinking water supply, underground sewerage connections and integrated stormwater drains.

Together, these requests cover pollution monitoring as well as the basic water, sewerage and drainage systems sought for the area.

Transport and neighbourhood facilities

Association president T.K Shanmugam sought the expansion of Metrorail to Ennore and the completion of the Annamalai Nagar-Wimco railway subway.

Residents also sought playgrounds and gymnasiums.

A self-certification system was sought for individual houses up to 3,000 sq ft, excluding multi-storey buildings.

Pattas and housing documents

The residents sought pattas for eligible long-term residents of government and temple lands.

They also called for the protection of water bodies and catchment areas while seeking those land documents.

Sale deeds were sought for people who had paid for houses built by the Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board.

Source: The Hindu