Every time I pass through
Arumbakkam, especially near Naduvankarai, the sight of the Cooum River leaves a
mixed feeling — a little sadness, and lately, a spark of hope. The river here
has been in a sorry state for years. The water is dark and dirty, the smell
unbearable, and the banks cluttered with garbage. Buffaloes often wander and
bathe in it, and it’s painful to think that this was once a flowing, vibrant
river.
Now, with the Maduravoyal
Expressway construction in full swing, the whole area is slowly changing.
There’s a sense of movement, not just in traffic planning, but in the air
itself — a feeling that something better might be coming. If the Cooum gets
cleaned and restored along with the expressway project, it will be a huge
blessing for the people living around Arumbakkam and nearby localities.
I often imagine what it would be
like when this vision becomes real — a clean, odour-free stretch with trees on
both sides, birds chirping by the water, and people walking or cycling along
the banks without holding their breath. The expressway above, carrying cars and
buses smoothly over the river, will not just ease traffic; it will mark a shift
towards a healthier, more hopeful Chennai.
Maybe, one day soon, we’ll look at
the Cooum and see not the city’s neglect, but its resilience and revival.
No comments:
Post a Comment