Old Drains Raise a Stink, Clog Sinks, Loos in Arundhati Nagar

The residents of Arundhati Nagar near Thiru Vi Ka Nagar in Chennai continue to face recurring sewage blockages leading to clogged sinks and toilets.

- PRAVEENA S A @Chennai

They blame the decades-old underground drainage system, which they say has not been upgraded for several years.

The area comprises 16 streets and is home to over 2,000 residents. Among the most affected are Govindapuram Street and Periyapalayathu Amman Street where frequent blockages have become a major concern. Most of these streets are narrow, making it difficult for vehicle-mounted jet rodding machines to access the area when complaints are lodged.

The residents pointed out that while the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) has replaced the drinking water pipelines twice in the past 20 years across all 16 streets, the underground sewage pipelines have not been replaced for nearly six decades now.