Pitfalls on the morning walk in Injambakkam

A slow-moving CMWSSB project is proving disruptive, even dangerous for Injambakkam residents in Chennai; Injambakkam Coastal Conservation Society has written to the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply And Sewerage Board

This structure has the look of a head with spiked hair, but lacks its innocuousness. This one can kill, at night or day; all it takes is a misstep for the unsuspecting beachgoer to get impaled on rusty rods that reach for the skies.

These construction rods are being worn uneasily like a crown of thorns by a half-complete sewerage collection well, on Harichandra Avenue — Third Cross Street in Injambakkam. The beach is just a whiff away.

Here is a picture of the space, one captured as recently as August 13, 2024.

Two giant CMWSSB boards are stationed. One is standing dutifully at its post. Its effort however goes in vain, as the other is lying face-down, and leaking people in. Local jugaad takes care of the rest of the access, past the structure and towards the beach.

A ladder rustled up with casuarina poles by nobody-knows-who provides free access to everyone, along the side of the structure.

The frugal ladder and fallen barricade and the regular movement of unauthorised feet make a commentary about the speed of this CMWSSB project.

This project is more than six months old, and moving at a tardy pace, says Capt. A. Ranganathan, president of the newly-formed Injambakkam Coastal Conservation Society. The project even bears the signs of something that progresses in fits and starts. People who need to notice the fallen barricade and the ladder seem to have not noticed it — and that makes a statement about the consistency of the work.