The Times of India  10.08.2010

Residents oppose pumping station replacing park in Tambaram

CHENNAI: While the Chennai corporation is opening parks by the dozen, residents of Amal Nagar in West Tambaram are being robbed of their only park-cum-playground by the municipality which plans to set up a sewage pumping station there.

On Monday last, Tambaram municipality workers dug a huge pit on Friday for the pumping station which is part of the Rs 106.96 crore common underground drainage (UGD) system for the suburb. "It is the only park in this locality. Most residents here are senior citizens for whom the lung space was a big relief. Now, they take their walks on the road. There is no place where they can sit and chat," said 70-year-old S Rajan, a resident.

As the 9,600-sq ft park remained neglected by the municipality, 63 families in the neighbourhood chipped in money to renovate it 20 years ago. They have been maintaining the park since. Over the years, they spent more than Rs five lakh in converting the open space reservation into a park-cum-playground. "Everyone chipped in to renovating it. We also installed children's play equipment and set up a separate courts for badminton, basketball and volleyball. We also erected a compound wall with three-feet high grills. But now, the local body has demolished everything," said Anandraj.

The neatly-laid footpath for walkers and five concrete slabs meant for visitors are dislocated. Most of the lights are either broken or the top portion is missing. Most of the play equipment for children are broken.

However, without any prior notice, on August 6 this year, municipal officials brought down the compound wall and dug a 30-feet-wide and 12-feet deep pit. Residents met officials of Tambaram municipality and also Kancheepuram collector Santosh K Misra on Friday to petition against the conversion.

Tambaram municipality officials told TOI that as the park area is located on a low stream area and hence ideal to have a pumping station. The project also includes setting up of 18 pumping and lifting stations and a sewage treatment plant. "The sewage treatment project will greatly benefit the residents. However, views of all stakeholders will be taken into account," Tambaram municipal chairman E Mani said.