Tamil Nadu Assembly Election: civic issues take centre stage as electors in Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni call for permanent solutions, improved security

As the Greater Chennai Police and the Central Reserve Police Force conducted a flag march on a congested stretch in the vicinity of the Chepauk Palace in Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni Assembly constituency on Wednesday, Samsath Begum, 64, sat on the footpath, selling clothes amid the haphazardly parked vehicles near her residence.

“I have been requesting a new mobile vending cart for my business from the MLA. I have also submitted an application for the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thittam,” she said. Pointing to the loss of livelihood of many vendors in the constituency, she said: “Many poor residents in our constituency depend on financial assistance from the government. I have yet to receive ₹5,000 from the State government. But I will still vote for the DMK because of their welfare schemes.”

Ahead of the election, voters in the DMK stronghold highlighted the prevalent civic issues, including inadequate parking spaces, large scale unauthorised development of commercial buildings in old ‘continuous building’ residential areas, illegal parking of vehicles along the road, security issues, and encroachments on congested stretches. Notable landmarks in the constituency include the Sri Parthasarathy Temple, Marina beach, Chepauk Stadium, University of Madras, the Tamil Nadu Government Multi Super Speciality Hospital, and Amir Mahal, the residence of the Prince of Arcot.

Traffic congestion

Roads such as Quaid E Millath Road, Barathi Salai, and Zam Bazaar have registered a rise in traffic congestion in recent times.

Reiterating the negative impact of the unauthorised parking of vehicles by pilgrims who visit places of worship in the area, A.V. Kasturi Rangan of Triplicane said: “Five years ago, we had demanded a solution to the parking issue in the vicinity of the Sri Parthasarathy Temple. The MLA was expected to find a lasting solution, and construct parking lots for pilgrims’ vehicles. Pilgrims park vehicles right in front of gates of residences.” Traffic congestion near the Big Mosque is also a major problem.

Stray cattle menace

Resident and social worker T.J. Ramani said the civic issues, including stray cattle, had not been resolved because of a delay in the construction of a shelter for stray cattle in the constituency.

“The government has not constructed a multilevel parking lot for vehicles near the Sri Parthasarathy Temple. Infrastructure needs to be improved for the safety and security of residents, particularly working professionals and students using the Triplicane MRTS station. The three entry points of the station have to be improved. The bus service from Ice House to T. Nagar has been completely withdrawn. Now residents of the constituency do not have bus connectivity from Ice House via Mylapore to T. Nagar. Frequency of buses such as 45A, 24A, 24C, and 29D should be increased,” Mr. Ramani added.

Residents also complained about pollution in the Sri Parthasarathy Temple tank due to illegal sewage connections from commercial establishments in the storm-water drains. Inadequate sewage treatment in the densely populated constituency remains another challenge.

V.P. Mani, president of the Thiruvallikeni Traders’ Association, said the MLA had taken measures to fulfil the demands of the traders in the constituency, including simplifying the procedure for the renewal of trade licences with the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC). “After the government is formed, we request the GCC to install closed-circuit television camera surveillance for the safety and security of the traders,” he said. Many of the electors in the constituency, who depend on commercial activities for their livelihood, have demanded that the Marina Beach be improved to attract tourists from around the world.

Following the Special Intensive Revision, 76,221 voters in the constituency have been removed from the electoral roll. Political functionaries of various parties in the constituency have been sensitising electors to submit Form 6 for the inclusion of their names on the electoral rolls.

Expecting a four-cornered contest of the DMK and allies, the AIADMK and the BJP, the TVK, and the NTK in the constituency, a few party representatives said they expected electors aged between 18 and 30, including those from Scheduled Caste and minority communities, to support an alternative party, such as the TVK, over the two Dravidian majors, pointing to the possibility of a much narrower victory than last time for Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, if the party decides to field him in this constituency again.

However, DMK party representatives said the cadre was optimistic of yet another victory by a huge margin in 2026 owing to implementation of a large number of civic infrastructure projects, including housing for the poor in areas such as Cox Colony, Goyyathoppu, and N.N. Nagar, ration shops, smart classrooms, integrated skill and sports centres, bus stands at Vivekanandar Illam, West Cooum River Road, Adam market, and Dr. Natesan Salai, and libraries for students’ welfare in low-income neighbourhoods.

Published – March 19, 2026 12:47 am IST