K. Manikandan Poor roads, illegal water connections, delayed projects hinder growth SHADOW OF WATERBODY: Many waterbodies in Pallavaram Municipality are in dire need of rejuvenation. A case in point is the Ramasamy Kulam near Pallavaram Railway Station. TAMBARAM: Pallavaram Municipality presents a unique, contrary picture of massive development works in progress and deteriorating condition of civic amenities. The youngest among selection grade municipalities in the southern suburbs of Chennai, the other being Tambaram and Alandur, Pallavaram's overall growth has not been on expected lines and residents in some remote pockets are deprived of facilities due to them. It is difficult to point out to the most acute problems facing residents of this local body, but mostly, they are all rolled into one. Political differences are more intense than in other urban and rural local bodies in the southern suburbs of Chennai and hence, many crucial projects have never taken off or get delayed. Bitter tussles between the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, irrespective of which party is in power in the State, on issues pertaining to bus shelters and pedestrian subways in Chromepet and Pallavaram are still fresh in the memory of residents. Civic activism has always been high in Pallavaram compared to other local bodies in this region, but it has not translated into the provision of adequate amenities in the municipality. Pallavaram was constituted as a municipality in January 1970 by combining Zamin Pallavaram, Issa Pallavaram and Hastinapuram town panchayats and Nemilichery and Keelkattalai village panchayats. At that time, the population of the municipality was less than 30,000 and as per the 2001 census, it was 1.46 lakh. It is estimated to be around 1.5 lakh now. The most important problem faced by residents all across the town is the condition of roads as they have been dug up for laying sewer lines as part of an elaborate underground drainage project. When the work began in January 2006, its estimated cost was Rs.47 crore and it has now escalated to about Rs.62 crore. Being executed on the lines of the Alandur model with participation of residents and the private sector, it was to be completed in mid 2007, but is likely to be finished only in the middle of 2009. Litigations over the location of the main pumping station and realignments of the route of sewers have all contributed in good measure to the delay. During regular meetings of the council, elected representatives have often echoed the discontent of the residents about the poor quality of road restoration works even after the laying of sewers. In localities of Old Pallavaram, Radha Nagar and Issa Pallavaram, roads are severely damaged. Residents have also complained that engineering staff do not pay enough attention to proper laying of roads and building of other amenities. Pallavaram continues to receive Palar water supply as it was part of the Comprehensive Water Supply Scheme along with Alandur. The increase in the population, however, has brought more pressure on the water supply. Pallavaram also has a history of illegal water connections being extracted at will by miscreants. During municipal council meetings, councillors have often voiced their concern and also criticised the failure of the local body's administrative machinery to curtail illegal water connections. This was having an effect on those who had secured genuine water connections and other living near hillocks where there was absolutely no pressure for the water to be pumped up. Another common complaint of residents and members of civic groups is that the local body had not given adequate care and importance to town planning. Municipal officials had in many instances failed to curb in the initial stages daring building violations. Many spots earmarked for public purposes were increasingly coming under the onslaught of unscrupulous elements and land sharks, they feared. Encroachments on Rajendra Prasad Road in Hastinapuram is an important cause for traffic problems. Pallavaram Municipality, the nodal agency for implementing the Modern Integrated Compost Yard in Venkatamangalam, lags far behind in implementing sound solid waste management practices. Waterbodies that are aplenty in this municipality have been neglected with the exception of some of them which are being renovated. Garbage and sewage "peacefully co-existed with waterbodies,' said members of Neer Exnora, pointing out to lakes and ponds in Pallavaram, Chromepet and Keelkattalai. Sanitation Sanitation is also a matter of concern in Pallavaram bus stand, where effluents from restaurants and commercial establishments pose severe inconvenience to residents nearby and the thousands of commuters. There have been bright spots though. Of late, the local body has been stepping up efforts to open more parks and libraries, a trend not seen in the past and children are able to spend more time in open spaces with play areas. But the need of the hour was speeding up major projects and completion of works put on hold, said members of the Federation of Civic and Welfare Associations of Pallavaram Municipality.