Kovurs progress boosts infrastructure, however waste disposal stays a priority

Kovur, a as soon as quiet, inexperienced village in Chennai’s western suburbs, is present process fast growth. 

Situated round 5 kilometres from Porur alongside the Porur-Kundrathur Road, the world, a part of Kundrathur taluk in Kancheepuram district, has seen vital adjustments lately — from new high-rises constructed by outstanding actual property companies to improved roads.

Long-time residents recall a really totally different Kovur. “It was once coated in timber and bushes. People not often visited the periya kovil as a result of it was laborious to succeed in,” stated M. Rajeshwari, who has lived within the space for over 30 years. 

The “periya kovil” she referred to is the historic Sundareswarar Temple, constructed in the course of the Chozha interval. According to historian V. Sriram, the temple additionally has a cultural legacy — Tyagaraja, the famed Carnatic composer, created 5 keerthanais right here within the 1830s after being invited by East India Company’s chief dubash Kovur Sundaresa Mudali.

Improved accessibility has introduced extra guests to the temple, however infrastructure nonetheless lags in locations. During a current go to to Kovur, restrooms constructed by authorities authorities beneath the HR&CE division had been discovered locked. Locals stated the ability is useful, however typically stays closed when the assigned caretaker is absent.

Elsewhere, indicators of city growth are extra seen. “Most of the outdated tiled-roof homes are gone. People have rebuilt them as two- or three-storey buildings,” stated Thaayamma, who runs a grocery store. 

D. Revathi, one other resident, notes that the re-laid roads have made on a regular basis commuting a lot simpler.

Open rubbish dumping

Despite the numerous positives, Kovur can also be beginning to present early indicators of city pressure. The most urgent concern is the growing open dumping of rubbish. 

Though the residents say that waste is collected each two days, it’s usually dumped in open areas outdoors the panchayat limits — significantly alongside the service highway south of the Chennai Bypass towards Tambaram. On August 1, heaps of plastic and home waste had been seen burning in these open areas, releasing smoke into the air.

A panchayat official acknowledged the difficulty, stating that whereas current funds had been directed towards roadwork and underground sewer tasks, steps are being taken to prioritise waste segregation. Plans are beneath approach to enhance recycling, significantly of plastic waste, the official stated. 

While Kovur at present escapes issues like rainwater stagnation and stray cattle that plague extra densely populated suburbs, unchecked progress and poor waste administration might steer it in the identical problematic path, stated residents.