T.N. Assembly election: Royapuram, a coastal area where livelihood security and affordable housing are major issues

While Chennai District Election Officials were covering some inscriptions at Robinson Park in Royapuram, which was the location where the DMK was launched in 1949, local resident A. Putli, 50, was busy selling buttermilk and aloe vera for a livelihood.

“Livelihood security is a major issue here,” she said. Ever since she learned that her father had named her after Mahatma Gandhi’s mother, she has been consistent in her commitment to a certain political ideology. But social welfare measures by the government are what matters the most for poor residents such as her in Royapuram Assembly constituency, where a significant number of voters belong to the socially weaker sections of society.

“I have received ₹1,000 under the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thittam. I am a beneficiary of the free bus scheme, Vidiyal Payanam. But I intend to vote for the candidate who will also resolve the housing problem in our area. A significant number of the electors in this constituency have to work hard every day for their livelihood. Our decision to vote will depend on welfare schemes that protect our dignity,” Ms. Putli said.

Many residents like her in the constituency have demanded dignified, affordable housing for the poor, while some want free house site patta. Many electors have also requested the government to redevelop the dilapidated houses of the Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board (TNUHDB) to prevent their collapse, particularly along the coast, where corrosion is a major problem in reinforced cement concrete structures.

K. Sulakshana, a senior citizen residing along the constituency’s coastline, said 64 TNUHDB houses were in a dilapidated condition and had not been reconstructed. S. Prema, a resident in the vicinity of the old Corporation Maternity Hospital in ward 50, said: “We request the government to establish a modern maternity hospital in our area. Women in our locality used to visit the old maternity hospital near Anathai Kuppam. Now, that has been refurbished and converted into a clinic. We have to visit the RSRM Hospital for maternity related services.”

On Tuesday, N. Murugan, a worker operating a jet rodding machine near Anathai Kuppam, said many residents in the area were complaining about sewage blocks in their houses, demanding the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) to clear the blocks in the sewerage network.

A. Prabhakaran, a resident, said flooding in the constituency had increased after the Metro Rail was constructed near Maharani Theatre. “The Port Trust increased the height of the ground. This has caused flooding in the vicinity. We have demanded work on improving the pumping infrastructure. The flood level was 3 ft. in 2023. Last year, there was no flooding. But the risk remains,” he said.

G. Shankar, another resident, said some of the residents who need patta had to get clearance from the Port Trust. MLAs have to improve coordination with various government agencies, including the Port Trust, Railways, and local bodies, to resolve civic issues, residents said.

D. Jayakumar, former AIADMK Minister who had won from Royapuram in 1991, 2001, 2006, 2011, and 2016, said he had played a key role in constructing multi-storeyed houses and replacing all the huts in the constituency during his tenure. “The DMK government failed to maintain the structures. Electors have understood how much we worked for the constituency only after electing a new MLA in 2021,” he said.

Pointing to the AIADMK’s role in preventing pollution caused by iron ore and coal handling in the port, Mr. Jayakumar said the constituency had remained green as residents had planted 50,000 trees with government support during his tenure.

“The constituency was referred to as ‘pink city’ owing to the pollution caused by iron ore handling. Whenever the port handled coal, our streets used to take on a black hue. The constituency has become clean because of our efforts,” he added.

Congress councillor Suresh Kumar said work on pumping stations had been completed to resolve civic issues and old drains had been restored for flood mitigation. “Electors have demanded measures to protect the livelihood of those who depend on fishing,” he added.

S. Ramesh Kumar, 53, a resident in the constituency, said major Dravidian party candidates who intend to contest from the constituency were hopeful but people were looking for some new candidate, who would be innovative in their approach for resolving civic issues. “Electors were angry when elected representatives tried to play down the demand for dignified housing for the poor. Party representatives who mocked the residents without patta may not get support during the election campaign,” he said.

Pointing to the launch of youth leagues of new parties such as the TVK in many streets of Royapuram constituency, residents said this was expected to facilitate vote splitting, drawing votes away from the most popular candidates of the two Dravidian majors.

DMK functionary N. Manogaran, who is the president of the Arignar Anna Poonga Walkers’ Association at Robinson Park, said many of the 3,500 walkers, who visit the park, were discussing the need to provide affordable housing for all eligible residents in the constituency, welfare measures for poor residents, improvement of parks and playgrounds, and development of parking spaces.

“We have provided free parking spaces for 2,000 motorcycles near the park. The DMK is determined to provide free house site pattas for all eligible residents here. All low-income housing will be redeveloped. The announcement by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin about increasing the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thittam amount from ₹1,000 to ₹2,000 is expected to have the maximum impact in Royapuram constituency. We wish to tell the electors that we will build a government college in the constituency,” Mr. Manogaran added.

Published – March 25, 2026 12:42 am IST