Ukkadam: Most neglected, underdeveloped part of city

Coimbatore: Ukkadam has just got a major infrastructure push with a 3.8 km-long flyover built at a cost of ₹481 crore.
The multi-crore investment for Ukkadam may help scores of people from the city and outside for a smooth and faster ride, but the residents of Ukkadam still endure life in one of the most underdeveloped parts of the city.
Narrow roads and muddy streets are staples of this highly congested locality.Often mounds of garbage are found on the street sides. Water contamination has also become a major problem with sewage being let into Ukkadam Periyakulam.
Ukkadam, with about 75,000 people in a 3km radius, has no children's park, playground, public library, or primary health centre.
H Mohammed Ashiq from GM Nagar said that the city municipal corporation and the state government have completely boycotted GM Nagar, Kottaipudur, Vairam Nagar, Gandhi Nagar, NS Garden and Sun Garden areas in Ukkadam.
Three anganwadis are functioning in three decrepit private buildings in Ward 84. Residents have long sought the state government to construct three new buildings for anganwadis.
A middle school and a high school in Ukkadam do not have adequate facilities to accommodate students from the locality.
M Abdul Hakkim, public relation secretary of Jamaat -e-Islami Hind, Coimbatore, said sewage collected from residential areas and commercial establishments is treated at Pullukadu sewage treatment plant (STP).
As a result, bad odour engulfs the locality round-the-clock. The residents are forced to live with the odour. The city municipal corporation is not ready to shift the STP from the area, he said.
“A few years back, an urban primary health centre was constructed at Pullukadu. A nurse was appointed by the corporation for the centre. But it failed to appoint a doctor. Eventually, the urban primary health centre was converted into a tax collection centre. People from ward numbers 84 and 86 are forced to travel to the urban primary health centres at Nanjundapuram, Kuniyamuthur, Selvapuram and Raja Street,” Abdul Hakkim said.
E Ahamed Kabir, councillor from ward number 86, said his ward has 26,000 voters. It should be bifurcated into two. “Only then, this area would see some development as there would be two councillors who can strive for more funds,” he said.
He said around 80% of UGD (underground drainage) and 24x7 drinking water projects were completed in the ward.
“But there are many unapproved sites in the ward. Some did not hand over the roads and OSR (open space reserve) land to the corporation. So, the corporation struggles to carry out any developmental work,” Ahamed Kabir said.
Alima Begum, councillor from ward number 84, said that the city corporation should desilt the Rajavaikkal and stormwater drainage.
The stormwater drainage has not been de-silted for more than 15 years, which has resulted in choking of the channel, she said.