Chitlapakkam plot meant for post office turns dump yard

TNN | Updated: Oct 25, 2017, 00:00 IST

Chennai: Administrative negligence from India Post has resulted in one of its undeveloped properties being illegally converted into a landfill in Chitlapakkam.

The land, measuring 2,023.5 sqm, abutting the Chitlapakkam lake, was acquired by India Post from the state government for the purpose of constructing a new post office building. Though the postal department put up a board claiming land ownership and warned against garbage dumping, it did not produce the desired effect.

Without a compound wall to demarcate the property, overflowing waste from the landfill operated by the Chitlapakkam town panchayat nearby has taken over the undeveloped property. The land is also being encroached by rusting two-wheelers, mostly vehicles seized by the Chitlapakkam police. According to local resident P Viswanathan, the demand for a new post office has been active since 1998.

India Post employees told TOI that the Chitlpakkam office ceiling leaks during rains. "Due to water seepage, operating electric switches becomes a risk. Electric shocks are commonplace. At times, the coating on the ceiling peels off and drops," said an employee, requesting anonymity.

Despite availability of land, India Post is actively scouting a rental property to relocate the existing post office. "It makes no sense. The land was transferred to India Post for the purpose of building a new post office," said Lakshminarayanan, a resident.

In an RTI response to Viswanathan's query, India Post said its civil wing has been allotted funds to construct a compound wall. Prem Kumar, assistant superintendent officer, Tambaram division, confirmed that the funds had been allotted but offered no comment when TOI asked for a tentative date for the work starting.

On July 31, G K Ponnurangam, assistant director (mails and establishment) responded to the Viswanathan's petition stating that the proposal (for new post office) would be included in the "13th five year plan". TOI received no response from Ponnurangam's office. Chennai region postmaster general, R Anand, too, refused to comment.