Redress grievances, else we will boycott elections: V Santhanam

Chennai: More than 5,000 Chromepet residents may either boycott or choose the NoTA (None o\f the Above) provision in the coming Assembly elections as the local body has not redressed their long-pending civic grievances.  

They are sore over the delay in major projects like drainage, and  irregular water supply. This is due to the civic body’s lethargic attitude.  “We are planning a hunger strike in the first week of March. We were never given a convincing reply in the past five years,” said president of federation of civic and welfare associations’ of Pallavaram, V. Santhanam. DC spoke to residents to find out the magnitude of the major civic lapses.

Suburb goes thirsty
Pallavaram municipality is one of the firsts to feel the ripples of water crisis as the metro water project, which was commissioned in 2011, has not been completed in many localities. “The main source, Palar, was flooded last December. But as the additional wells were not constructed, the locality receives drinking water only once in 10 days,” said C. Murugian, a resident.
 
Much needed shelter
Hasthinapuram bus terminus, which connects residents to major centres, including Chengalpattu and Broadway, has no bus shelter and restroom. “Forget the plight of commuters, we ease ourselves in the open,” said a bus driver.
 
Cut down UGD charges
While the Greater Chennai Corporation limits, which is three kilometers away from the suburb, charges between Rs 70-100, residents in Pallavaram municipality pay Rs 150, a sum unaffordable by many. Though the municipality initiated steps to cut down charges, it never acted serious over the issue, lament residents
 
Subway projects halted
Vehicular subway at Radha Nagar, which would ease traffic in the locality, has not been completed for over 10 years. While the railways finished their part of construction, the highways department said the original plan of making it a vehicular subway was not feasible and that a pedestrian subway was the only solution. Also, work on the proposal to construct a subway at Vaishnava gate which connects East Chromepet with west side has not commenced.

Merge with corporation limits
Pallavaram municipality should either be merged with Greater Chennai Corporation  or a separate corporation should be formed with Tambaram and Chromepet,” said federation vice president, T.M. Babu.