Civic apathy detracts from SBI Colony’s charm in Chromepet

SBI Colony, near Purushothaman Nagar, which falls under Ward 36 of Tambaram Corporation, is a tranquil residential locality where retired professionals and bank employees reside. Its First Main Road, which runs past a park, serves as an important link for school students and office-goers. The SBI Colony–Radha Nagar Link Road connects commuters to the Radha Nagar subway and GST Road. The Metropolitan Transport Corporation’s Depot II is also located in the area.

However, garbage dumped at two junctions on the stretch, reportedly by people from outside the locality, has become an eyesore. An open canal meant to carry rainwater is also mixed with sewage, posing a health risk to residents, particularly those living in nearby apartment complexes.

R. Vijay Pandian, a retired Additional Public Prosecutor who lives on SBI Colony Main Road, said people from outside the locality arrive in vehicles, including cars, dump garbage and leave within seconds. A garbage-recycling unit in front of his apartment was removed because it was not effective, but reptiles and insects continued to be seen in the area, he said.

A once-clean roadside stretch, protected by wire fencing, along SBI Colony Main Road opposite SBI Park, is now marred by indiscriminate garbage dumping.
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

K.S. Sowmiyanarayanan, secretary of the SBI Staff Cooperative Housing Colony (Chromepet) Welfare Association, said residents had raised the issue with elected representatives over the past decade, but there had been no lasting solution. Residents planted saplings of rare species and installed protective fencing at their own cost to deter dumping. However, the fencing was damaged during canal-cleaning work, and garbage dumping continued, he said.

The garbage also attracts dogs and cattle, which occupy much of the road and leave little space for motorists. Sukanya, a homemaker, said her daughter fell off her bicycle while returning from school when a cow suddenly turned towards her.

Garbage dumped along SBI Colony Main Road near Purushothaman Nagar.
| Photo Credit:
T. Arvind

Garbage strewn along the roadside in SBI Colony at night, with cattle foraging amid the waste.
| Photo Credit:
T. Arvind

Sowmiyanarayanan also flagged the condition of overhead electric cables near SBI Park, saying they frequently fell and were simply rejoined. Residents want the cables replaced before an accident occurs, he added. “We recently submitted a representation to Pallavaram MLA J. Kamatchi. We hope a solution will be found soon,” he said.

When contacted, Ward 36 councillor Saraswathi Chandrasekhar was evasive in her response, blaming members of the public for indiscriminate garbage dumping. She shifted responsibility for civic management to officials, alleging that they had taken control of civic affairs following the change of government.

Residents urged the Corporation to deploy volunteers temporarily to monitor the stretch and prevent dumping by outsiders. They also sought action on the Corporation’s commitment to cover the canal and provide concrete walking paths from the Mahadevan Street junction to SBI Park.

Potholes plague link road

The SBI Colony–Radha Nagar Link Road is used by commuters heading to GST Road to avoid congestion near the MIT Bridge during peak hours. However, large potholes on its southern stretch pose a risk to motorists. Residents say two speed breakers at a bend, followed by potholes, make the stretch particularly difficult to negotiate.

“Cars use this stretch, but bike-riders like me take it for quick access to GST Road and Tirusulam Metro. The potholes make it difficult to use at night,” said Prince Rajkumar, an IT professional.

Residents and motorists urged Tambaram Corporation to fill the potholes or relay the road without further delay, while ensuring transparency in the tendering process for road works.