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NT Bureau
Chennai, Apr 27:
 

Mayor M Subramanian planting a sapling on Avenue Road at Nungambakkam, yesterday.

        'Avenue Road at Nungambakkam, which was once full of trees, has been taken over for development but the move is causing degradation of the environment and civic amenities in this area,' vice-president of Avenue Road Civic Exnora K V Unnikrishnan has said.

        He was speaking during the inauguration of Avenue Road Civic Exnora, a joint venture by the locals and Exnora International and launch of 'Project Green Avenue' which was officially launched by the Chennai Mayor M Subramanian here yesterday.

        Recalling that Avenue Road, once the home to former Chief Minister, and DMK founder C N Annadurai, Unnikrishnan said the place was full of trees through which sunlight hardly passed through and it was a spot for political activity. But now, the road has hardly any tree moreover it is in bad shape with no civic amenities.

        Secretary of Avenue Road Civic Exnora K Balasubramanian, mentioning about the problems, said the sewerage network, which was put up in the 1930s, was frequently blocked due to an increase of resident population. He said frequent blockages in the sewer line led to contamination of ground water due to seepage.

        He said the families had to face difficulties during rain owing to the absence of storm water drainage, as the flood water enters their houses. He added that the roads had also become unusable.

        In addition, there were lots of encroachments which, if removed, could be used as a parking zone for the vehicles coming to the commercial complexes.

        Reacting to the grievances, the Mayor assured to look into them and directed zonal authorities to execute a new sewage line work before the next monsoon.

        He also promised to change streetlights in the coming days. Later at the end of programme he planted two saplings on the road to mark the launch of Project Green Avenue.

        Chairman of zone 5 Suresh Babu, Councillor of ward 78 D Lazar and president of Avenue Road Civic Exnora Javeed Ghatala were also present on the occasion.