Stating that only the Chennai Corporation could help in putting a permanent end to the large scale problems faced by them, residents from a number of localities of Madipakkam met and shared their grievances and concerns over the deteriorating quality of basic amenities in their area. Residents and office-bearers of more than two dozen civic groups of Madipakkam Village Panchayat met recently at the Anna Dhaanam Hall of Ayyappan Temple in Ayyappa Nagar. According to speakers on the occasion, it was an advisory meeting of all the residents' associations of Madipakkam.
Speaking to Downtown, they said that the population had nearly touched 75,000 and the quality of basic amenities in Madipakkam had hit rock bottom. They said that without any doubt, Madipakkam ranked lowest among all urban and rural local bodies in the southern suburbs of Chennai in terms of basic infrastructure.
Charter of demands
The Madipakkam Village Panchayat was brought under the ambit of the Chennai Corporation by an announcement some months ago and this was welcomed by them, as the administration and its elected council had miserably failed to deliver the goods. The meeting was organised to prepare a charter of their demands to be presented to the Corporation.
Speakers included representatives of civic groups from Ayyappa Nagar, Mahalakshmi Nagar, Karthikeyapuram, Enfield Avenue, Ram Nagar, LIC Nagar, Raja Rajeswari Nagar, Rajalakshmi Nagar, Kubera Nagar, Balaiah Gardens, Anna Nagar, Rajaji Nagar and Alamelumangapuram among others. An important demand pertained to improving the Madipakkam Bus Teminus that was deteriorating due to neglect. Stagnation of rain water mixed with sewage around the terminus continued to be an eye sore and it remained like that for months together.
Other problems
Residents said that stagnation of water even long after the Monsoon had become a permanent problem. The indiscriminate dumping and burning of garbage in all possible open spaces and vacant spots, bad roads, pathetic condition of the Madipakkam bus terminus, ill-maintained street lighting and an unfriendly elected council and administration had robbed the tax payers.
They said that solid waste management had taken a complete beating in Madipakkam. It may be recalled that residents of Lakshmi Nagar-Alayamman Nagar launched a movement last year and decided to handle the task of primary collection of garbage.
The Madipakkam panchayat authorities said that poor financial strength was the most important reason for the present state of basic amenities. To deliver quality services, huge investments would be required which was not possible under the present circumstances.
Senior officials at the Department of Municipal Administration and Water Supply explained that the answer would be Madipakkam's merger with the Chennai Corporation and assured that one year from now, there would be a visible improvement.
Courtesy: The Hindu November 28, 2010
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