Resident Welfare Associations urge GCC to set up water kiosks, shelters as heat grips Chennai

Resident Welfare Associations urge GCC to set up water kiosks, shelters as heat grips Chennai

With temperatures rising, Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) in Chennai have called upon the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) to implement measures to mitigate the effects of the searing heat.

Their requests included deepening waterbodies to ensure adequate water supply, halting burning of waste, and installing additional pandals to provide shade.

D. Neelakannan, president of the Tamil Nadu Alliance of Resident Welfare Associations and a resident of Madhavaram, said the heat affected daily wage workers, bus commuters, the elderly, children, and the homeless. He recommended water fountains at bus stops, ward offices, Primary Health Centres, beaches, parks, museums, libraries, and community centres which would be useful for traffic police, civic bodies’ sanitary and construction workers. He also suggested that bus shelters with toilet facilities be installed in Chennai and in Avadi.

N. Kothandan, Secretary of Federation of Madhavaram RWAs, said Retteri lake must be deepened and that the sewage pollution through minor channels, stormwater drains, and encroachments must be stopped. He also said the incinerator project of the GCC in Kodungaiyur must be dropped. Officials should monitor burning of garbage.

J.M.S. Nagarjunan of Anna Nagar Western Extension Residents’ Welfare Association, said RWAs were planning to set up buttermilk distribution kiosks.

T.D. Babu, founder of civic initiative SPARK in Sastri Nagar of Adyar, called for equipping Primary Health Centres to provide first aid for sunstroke victims.

Deputy Mayor M.Magesh Kumaar said water and buttermilk pandals have been set up for the people.