Long-pending demand of Chengalpattu residents for better infrastructure remain unfulfilled

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.

‘MSP promise unkept’

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.

‘Demands yet to be met’

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.

The river flows by us. We ought to be priority. Many residential areas such as Urapakkam and Guduvanchery have high contents of salinity in their ground water. The Kolavai Lake is badly polluted and is now a cesspool. The water is not potable. It is not even suitable to rear fish in it. The government must take steps to remove the sludge, deepen it and strengthen the bunds,” he said. Residents said since the district has no minister, they were unable to take up local issues with those in power.

‘Dangerous streets’

“Streets have become dangerous due to the very slow progress of drain work. Streets in Chengalpattu town are either dug up or not re-laid. Many two-wheeler riders fall due to uneven surfaces. They dug up all the streets at once without any planning,” said a resident.

Residents have also been urging the State government to increase the specialties in the Chengalpattu Government Hospital.

“Due to the proximity of the GST Road, the hospital gets many head injury cases, but we do not have specialists to treat such cases, and the hospital is forced to send them to private hospitals. Similarly, we don’t have a full-fledged cardiology wing. Around 3,000 outpatients visit the hospital everyday, but we don’t have enough staff or facilities for these numbers,” said a resident.