Inadequate infrastructure plagues this constituency amid rapid urbanisation

While bustling roads, burgeoning eateries, and commercial establishments point to growing opportunities and rapid urbanisation in many areas, the Madhavaram constituency continues to buckle under the lack of infrastructure and related problems such as solid waste management and piped drinking water supply.

A relatively new constituency facing its fourth Assembly election, Madhavaram has over 4.2 lakh citizens set to vote this year. With the progress of the Chennai Metro Rail work over the last few years, it has become a real estate hub for people looking to set up their homes in the city.

Comprising the urban middle class, migrant workers, and the rural population, this constituency is a key constituent of the Tiruvallur district.

Traffic and safety

B. Isaivani, a long-time resident of Madhavaram, points out that despite high-rise apartments cropping up every year, the area lacks safety and uninterrupted power supply.

“I close my shop by 8 p.m. as it gets unsafe thereafter. There are not enough streetlights that can guarantee my safety. Further, the presence of open electric boxes makes it hazardous to walk on footpaths with no lights,” the 45-year-old woman said.

Running a small eatery on the roadside, she said that after 6 p.m., the entire stretch of Madhavaram-Red Hills national highway experiences heavy traffic congestion.

“In the last few years, the traffic congestion has only increased. Pedestrians find it difficult to cross, and accidents occur frequently,” she said.

Echoing the sentiment, D. Neelakannan, president of Federation of Madhavaram Residents’ Welfare Association, said the area also required a robust solid waste management plan.

“Desilting works in the Madhavaram and Retteri lake have not been undertaken properly. Further, sewage continues to be discharged into these lakes, resulting in the contamination of drinking water. These need to be rectified,” he said.

Residents say that though water connectivity has not been a problem owing to Retteri and Puzhal lakes, they continue to wait for piped drinking water supply. 

The Madhavaram constituency, which begins with Madhavaram, includes both rural and urban towns, such as Kathirvedu, Mathur, Sholavaram, Surapet, Puzhal, and Red Hills.

The State government, in the last five years, introduced a slew of development initiatives such as boating in Madhavaram and Retteri lakes, apart from completing the storm-water drain network in some areas, and opening Padiyanallur bus stand.

Drainage issues

Yet, S. Keerthana, a resident of Periyasekkadu near Madhavaram Milk Colony, said that only last year were efforts made to set up a drainage system in the area. “They had dug up roads to set up the network in December, but the work has been stalled. There has been no progress ever since. It has made our lives difficult,” she said.

Concerns have been raised by residents of Puzhal regarding the law-and-order situation, with many noting that it was unsafe to go out after 7 p.m. “Many people create a ruckus under the influence of drugs, making it difficult for people to venture out. While complaints were raised, no action has been taken,” R. Sundaram, a resident, said.

For the residents of Red Hills, traffic congestion on GNT Road poses safety hazards to pedestrians. “Schoolchildren find it impossible to cross… We need a foot overbridge and flyover,” said Radha, a long-time resident.

In the three elections since the constituency was formed, former Milk and Dairy Development Minister V. Moorthy from the AIADMK won once and sitting DMK MLA S. Sudharsanam twice.

Mr. Sudharsanam said that ensuring the development of the lakes, establishing storm-water drains, and introducing recreational activities in the Retteri and Madhavaram lakes were key priorities.

“Establishing a Tech City and improving the civic infrastructure will continue to be top priorities for the area,” he added.

Residents of the constituency hope that the new government tackles the main problems such as lack of good roads, storm-water drain coverage, frequent outage of electricity, and drug abuse.

Published – March 27, 2026 12:43 am IST