T.N. Assembly election: Long-pending demand of Chengalpattu residents for better infrastructure remain unfulfilled

Chengalpattu residents voice frustrations over unmet infrastructure demands, including water management and road improvements, amid political neglect.

Not much has happened in terms of development in the Chengalpattu Assembly Constituency over the last five years. Demands such as cleaning the Kolavai lake, completion of work to lay sewer lines, connecting the subway below the Chengalpattu rail over bridge, and provision of Palar River water to all areas, remain unfulfilled, say residents.

The constituency has been alternatively choosing candidates belonging to AIADMK and DMK. It has a considerable farming community that has been demanding check dams across the Palar River to improve ground water levels.

“We want a dam at Udayanpakkam. The government had sanctioned its construction, but it is yet to be constructed. It would help increase ground water level for residents, and help the sugarcane farmers of the area,” said R. Muralimohan, a resident. Check dams have been constructed at Pazhaya Seevaram, Vallipuram, and Eesur where water levels are better than other places. Residents have been demanding the construction of check dams for every 5 km on the river.

Parasuraman, a farmer, said that the government had promised a minimum support price (MSP) of ₹5,000 per tonne. But that promise has not been kept. “We always get farm loans in a delayed manner and not when we really need it – during the sowing season. There is unnecessary political influence at Aavin’s milk procurement centres and at the direct procurement centres, which must be done away with. Lack of quality seeds and fertilisers too are worries for farmers here,” he added. Traffic inside Chengalpattu town turns chaotic, especially during weekends and festivals as vehicles from the GST Road take the narrow interior roads.

“The bus stand and depot are in the same place. A new bus stand is coming up near the District Collectorate. Once that is completed, we will get some relief. Right now, it’s a battle on the roads. There are no designated parking spaces for motorists inside the town. People just park outside commercial establishments. There is no long-term planning whatsoever. At times some roads just get choked,” said a highways engineer working on the proposed widening of the GST Road.

E. Sekar of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) said his party had been making several demands over the years that were yet to be met. “One such is equitable distribution of Palar River water. At present localities like Tambaram and Maraimalai Nagar get Palar River water but not areas inside Chengalpattu town and surroundings.