An old initiative that lies stagnant in a cesspool
The Hindu
Years ago, a shared space near the Mandaveli MRTS station found the spotlight. It has to find it all over again
A spark plug fits neatly into the palm, belying its true nature. In reality, it is a heavyweight of performance. When rundown spark plugs and wires are replaced, a sluggish engine wakes up to greater performance.
An engaged residents’ group has the “igniting” power of the spark plug, distributing enthusiasm across various stakeholders. Now, the question is: Does an old initiative focussed on a space that cheek by jowl with the Mandaveli MRTS station require the energising touch of new spark plugs.
Around five years ago, this space on Sringeri Mutt Road was kept dowdy to the point that it finally caused a furore among residents of the locality. Residents sent images of the space piled high with construction debris and other forms of offscourings to the prime minister’s office, setting a chain of positive events in motion.
Ravi Nandyala, founder-president, Jeth Nagar Residents’ Association (JERA) recalls that when the squalor of the space became wider knowledge, the Greater Chennai Corporation waded into the scene. It was however not long before Southern Railway stepped in, and cleared the space of squalor and had it fenced. Three line agencies intersect at this space as they have stakes in the space and what lies around it. However, the Public Works Department is said to command ownership over much of it.
To prevent any future blight, the space was reclaimed through a tree planting exercise by Nizhal.
Unfrequented spaces are invariably an invitation to litterbugs and it was only fit that a part of it was given to GCC to run a composting as well as a materials recovery centre. The management of the centre is handled by conservancy workers of Urbaser.
The space overnight became a symbol of transformation through actions that synergised the residents’ enthusiasm for change and the resourcefulness of government agencies. However, with the lapse of time, far from growing to this full potential, the initiative stagnated much like the slushy, murky water of the Buckingham Canal running nearby.
While residents are worried over deaths due to diarrhoea in Vijayawada, officials still grapple to find the root cause. Contaminated drinking water supplied by VMC officials is the reason, insist people in the affected areas, but officials insist that efforts are on to identify the disease and that those with symptoms other than diarrhoea too are visiting the health camps.