A fast-developing suburb grapples with inadequate infrastructure

Vanagaram, a real estate hotspot near Chennai, faces infrastructure challenges despite its growth and proximity to commercial hubs.

Vanagaram is a fast-growing residential area on the city’s periphery. It has emerged as one of the real estate hotspots. While its proximity to commercial hubs and arterial roads is riveting investors’ attention, residents say its infrastructure requires upgrade. The Tamil Nadu government’s move to bring the Vanagaram panchayat under the Greater Chennai Corporation has raised residents’ expectations of improved infrastructure. Welcoming the efforts to improve amenities by merging the panchayat with the Chennai Corporation and increasing administrative efficiency, residents flag the issues that need immediate attention. Vanagaram has become an upmarket residential area in the past few years, with the mushrooming of apartment complexes and commercial and industrial establishments.

S. Yuvaraj, honorary president, Rajiv Nagar Residents’ Welfare Association, says the area houses nearly 50 wedding halls because it is close to Maduravoyal and Poonamallee High Road. The stretch of the arterial road gets choked with traffic even at late night hours. “We are glad that work on the Chennai Port-Maduravoyal Elevated Corridor has resumed. But it has added to the traffic congestion. The authorities must lay an alternative road along the Cooum to ease the traffic until the project is completed,” he says.

Like many other suburbs, Vanagaram has overhead power cables criss-crossing and dangling in residential areas. On some streets, these high-tension wires hang near windows or balconies. Residents want the cables taken underground as they pose a threat during the rains.

Though areas such as Rajiv Nagar and Mahalakshmi Nagar have been provided with storm water drains, they mostly carry sewage to the Cooum for want of an underground drainage network. Moreover, many of the storm water drain manholes are damaged at places like Devakiammal Street. They pose a threat to passers-by, Mr. Yuvaraj says.

Vigilance has been stepped up along the Cooum to prevent dumping of waste and discharge of sewage. Residents demand a comprehensive restoration plan because the river is polluted in the upper reaches. Vanagaram has warehouses and commercial establishments in the midst of apartment complexes. However, narrow roads at places such as Gajalakshmi Colony and Noombal do not have the capacity to carry the heavy traffic. Haphazard parking of vehicles block the the traffic.

K. Ramadoss, a resident, says lorries plying to readymix concrete plants at Mahalakshmi Nagar and on Noombal Main Road often cause traffic congestion at peak hours. These heavy vehicles also damage the narrow roads and kick up dust. Most buildings and even trees have cement dust on them. Though petitions for shifting the plants have been submitted to government officials, no action has been taken. Noombal Main Road, which connects Poonamallee High Road with Iyyapanthangal, and Chettiar Agaram Main Road need widening, residents say.

With the groundwater turning saline in most parts of the locality, residents rely on the supply from the local body and private tankers. M.V. Ramachandran of Ramas Enclave says more people are settling in this area as it is surrounded by premium healthcare and educational institutions and is well-connected to industrial areas. But it lacks piped water supply. People buy water from the private tankers.