Access way becomes reality for residents near Trade Centre

Chennai: For residents of Ganapathipuram and Thulasingapuram, the arrival of foreign delegates to participate in the Global Investors Meet (GIM) is a cause for joy. Because of their much-heralded arrival at Chennai Trade Centre, on whose peripheries these residential spaces are located, the residents’ long standing demand of a proper access way has been granted. Proper bituminous roads now run all the way from the exit on Mount-Poonamallee Highway and until the entrance to the Ganapathipuram locality.

Of course, the courtesy was not extended all the way into Ganapathipuram, and the adjoining Thulasingapuram, because the foreign delegates would not be stepping foot there.

“For nearly 50 years, we have not had roads here. We have lost count of how many times politicians have promised us roads during elections. Politicians came and went. Some even died. Still, we never got a road. But some foreigners’ visit to the Trade Centre has made it possible,” said P. Selvaraju, a provision store owner at Ganapathipuram.

Residents of the IDPL colony nearby, formerly a cluster residential quarters only occupied by employees of Indian Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Limited, are also happy. “I moved here in 1963. In 1964, the roads were laid in our quarters. After than not even once,” said M Ramaswamy, a long time resident here.  But for a cross section of people like Ramaswamy, the state government has given them a raw deal.

There are a total of five interior roads of combined length around 3.5 kilometres within the colony. Only three of the five have been laid. “When we asked the contractors working here, they said they have not received contract for laying the road in front of my house,” Ramaswamy said.

Two of the roads, including the one running in front of Ramaswamy’s quarters, are in a battered state. The condition is so bad that even pedaling a bicycle through it can be considered an arduous, and equally dangerous.

There are other problems. “No one ever comes to collect wastes here. So, residents just burn their wastes,” said S. Indra, another resident. This situation prevails despite the fact that the area was absorbed under the Chennai corporation. One good thing has come out of the Global Investors Meet (GIM) being held in their vicinity. “I think people outside have at least come to know about our place due to this event,” Indra said.