Sholinganallur: Fast booming constituency still struggles with basic amenities

S. Vatsala, 55, is busy mixing soda with lemon juice to serve her customers on the 200-feet Radial Road in Pallikaranai in Sholinganallur. As she hands over the drink, she notes that nothing much has changed for her in the last 45 years that she has been in the area. “My house continues to get flooded every monsoon and as there are no proper storm water drains in our area in Pallikarnai. It takes over two days for the water to recede,” she said. 

She came to Pallikarnai in the 1990s when the water quality was good and there was no interruption in availing drinking water. “Now we have a lorry coming in and sometimes when it doesn’t, we’ll have to walk at least a kilometer to get drinking water from a pipe,” she noted. 

Sholinganallur constituency was formed in 2011. The largest constituency in terms of the number of voters, it is famous for the IT corridor, Pallikarnai marshland and infamous for the Perungudi dumpyard. As the election fever heats up, residents in the constituency noted that nothing much has changed. While a couple of areas such as Perumbakkam have received stormwater drains and drinking water pipe networks, many areas still await these facilities. 

However, residents also note that in the last couple of years, the upcoming Metrorail is a silver line to their areas. This, they say, will connect the residents to various other parts of the city, and also ease traffic congestion. 

Harsha Koda, co-founder, FOMRRA (Federation of OMR Resident Associations), said when they moved to OMR, they were informed that the sewage drain network and piped water connection would be made available in 24 months. “It’s been 15 years. We are still awaiting basic facilities. It is important that solid waste management, storm water drain and drinking water pipe network is attended to first. These have been long pending demands,” he said.

FOMRRA had also submitted a manifesto to various political parties to be included in their manifestos. Covering over five subjects, the manifesto pointed out there was a need for a government hospital in the area. 

In the Sholinganallur area, residents point out that flooding remains a major concern. “We wade through sewage-mixed water when there is even light rain. As the electricity now frequently gets cut, it’s becoming a problem to sleep through the night,” said Malliga, a long-time resident. 

Flood mitigation

A long time resident of Medavakkam noted that as proper water channels from Sitheri to Kalleri are missing, causing constant anxiety among residents about flooding. “The absence of proper water channels have led to the canals being overfilled and spreading onto the nearby streets causing flooding,” he noted. 

Noting the rampant waste dumping at Medavakkam Kalukutta, he said that the scenic 13-acre waterbody has turned it into a dump yard. “Before it turns to a dumping mountain, it needs to be restored and developed as a recreational site for public use,” he said. 

Satish Galley, a civic activist, said traffic congestion on OMR main road is bad. “Flood mitigation done in the last two years has really helped during rain,” he said. 

In Vengaivasal, Rohan, a first time voter said that the area requires a playground. “Right now, all the lands are being turned into plots. There is no ground for us to play cricket or for any of the children to play safely. We will have to shell out upwards of ₹1,000 at a turf to play which we cannot afford,” he further added.

Upcoming elections

In the 2011 election, the AIADMK had won in Sholinganallur with its candidate K.P. Kandan defeating VCK’s S.S Balaji, who contested as part of the DMK-led alliance, by a margin of over 27% votes. Since 2016, DMK’s sitting MLA S. Aravind Ramesh has won the constituency. 

Mr. Aravind Ramesh pointed out that many of the promised works such as storm water drains and drinking water supply have been given to some parts of the constituency. “We are working to ensure that everyone gets access to both. A 200-bed hospital facility was also set up at Perumbakkam. Lots of parks were also opened for the benefit of the public,” he said.