Chennai: Dr Radhakrishnan Nagar (RK Nagar) has been in the spotlight since 2015 as it was former CM Jayalalithaa's constituency but as many as 5,000 families in VOC Nagar in the area have been battling hordes of civic issues for more than 30 years. Inadequate drinking water supply has been one of the major issues. A water tank, which was built for the purpose to cater to people living in the slum, is in shambles and repeated appeals have gone in vain.
“We are forced to shell out money each day to buy water despite of this provision. We nicknamed the tank as “Torch Light” because the only purpose it serves is that of a source of light at night,” said M. Sekar, a local CPI(M) functionary, and a resident of VOC Nagar. He further added that stormwater drain work has been abandoned in the area leading to waterlogging during rains. This also increased the incidence of diseases during rainy season, the residents claim.
Another issue plaguing the area is the stench from the corporation fish market, crying for attention. “Initially, the market was under the maintenance of Slum Clearance Board and it is now being looked over by the corporation. As the fishermen have to pay money to the government if they sell fish in the stalls allotted to them, they have opted to stock fish in the stalls and sell the fish on the roads outside the allotted block. Due to this, the corporation has stopped maintaining the market,” said J. Surendar.
Moreover, even after the ban on sale of tobacco within 100 meters of educational institutions and religious places are prohibited, TASMAC shops still exist near the schools. “We have staged protests numerous times demanding shutting down of shops, but the authorities turned deaf ears,” said a resident of the area. When contacted, an official said the issues would be taken up after the elections.
