Encroachments, slow-progress of projects, freebies over facilities among major concerns

Saidapet Assembly Constituency, which lies in the heart of Chennai, has consistently been one of the important urban seats in the Tamil Nadu election over the years. It carries a strong political legacy, and while it is spread around one of the city’s major waterways, it also has reputed educational institutions and a prominent industrial hub; yet, like many other localities, it continues to face persistent civic issues.

Saidapet, CIT Nagar (West), Jafferkhanpet, Little Mount, Kotturpuram, Guindy, Ekkattuthangal, Five Furlong Road, Maduvankarai, and parts of Nandanam, Pallipattu, Kottur, Maduvankarai Velachery Main Road, Alandur Road, and Anna Salai make up this constituency.

Anna University, Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras), MGR Medical University, Small Industries Development Corporation Ltd. (SIDCO), Maraimalai Adigal Bridge (previously Marmalong Bridge), Saidapet Court, and Tamil Nadu Open University are among its notable landmarks.

The area breathes through the Guindy National Park and the sprawling ground of YMCA College of Physical Education, where the annual Chennai Book Fair is hosted. It was once dubbed the ‘Muthalamaichar thogudhi’ (’Chief Minister constituency’), as former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK leader M. Karunanidhi was elected as the MLA from this constituency in the 1967 and 1971 Assembly elections. Until the 1980s, it remained a fortress of the DMK, after which the AIADMK began to demonstrate electoral strength.

In 1984, AIADMK’s Saidai Duraisamy, a former Mayor, won the Assembly election. Following this, the electorate alternated between the two Dravidian majors. In 2001, a by-election was held, in which actor-turned-politician Radha Ravi won the seat as the AIADMK candidate. Later, AIADMK leader and former Information Minister G. Senthamizhan retained the constituency in 2006 and 2011.

In 2016, after Saidapet was badly affected by a deluge during the December 2015 floods, the AIADMK fielded its four-time MLA C. Ponnaiyan in this Assembly constituency. But, he lost to former Chennai Mayor and Health Minister Ma. Subramanian, who has held the constituency since then.

S. Jagadeeshan, 24, a resident of the settlement on the banks of the Adyar River near Thideer Nagar, said that people there were promised to be relocated to tenements within Saidapet in the next two years. “If this is feasible, we do not know, as these promises were made only recently. Cleaning drives for removing garbage and waste were done only a few months ago, and not earlier, when requests were made. This has been ongoing for several years. What we want is to stay where we are; this is our home,” he added. The river was covered partly with hyacinth. Sometimes, the water even froths, the residents said.

Malar, a 50-year-old working in the Dhobikhana, said, “Addiction to alcohol and drugs is the main issue here. It is not a safety issue for the girls and women so far, but it has hit our household economy very badly. The number of TASMAC shops needs to be reduced. Neither of the Dravidian parties listens to our requests promptly, nor do they inspect the locality regularly.

K. Karunakaran and Venkatesan, have differing political views, but agreed on two key demands. Instead of distributing freebies such as wet grinders or hot boxes at party meetings, they said improving road infrastructure and street lighting should be prioritised. “LPG and petrol prices are rising, yet we are compelled to adhere to fares fixed by app aggregators. So, providing free health and vehicle insurance schemes implemented in States such as Telangana would benefit us more,” they said.

They also cited gaps in availing free medical treatment through government health insurance schemes. They are annoyed by the need to change the cards every time the name of the scheme changes. The autorickshaw drivers further pointed out that the 3.2-km Teynampet–Saidapet elevated corridor project is progressing slowly, leading to traffic congestion and dust pollution.

Stray dog, parking, encroachments

Nalini of the Sri Nagar South Avenue Resident Welfare Association said that the locality, once calm and frequented by senior citizens for walks, is now grappling with a surge in stray dogs, raising safety concerns. “In October, a woman was bitten by a dog on the street. Areas with more feeders tend to attract more dogs. About three months ago, I noticed a few pups in our colony. The Greater Chennai Corporation should have sterilised the animals,” she added.

T.A.R. Shridharran, a resident of Kotturpuram, said that several pavements in the area are encroached upon. “In some lanes, only the white paint demarcates pedestrian space, but shops have occupied these areas, making access difficult, especially after 8 p.m. Even on a 40-ft road, movement becomes challenging due to the large number of two-wheelers parked along the roadside. Despite multiple complaints to the police and civic authorities, no action has been taken,” he alleged.

Published – April 07, 2026 01:06 am IST