Like other neighbourhoods, Villivakkam too has seen unprecedented growth. The once calm roads with one or two shops are now bursting with commerce.
Nathamuni Theatre is a single screen but continues to draw movie lovers. Royal Theatre has given way to AGS Cinemas. The neighbourhood has a good mix of schools, hotels and jewellery shops. The place is well-connected to the other parts of the city by train and bus.
The vegetable market near the railway station draws not only the residents of Villivakkam but also those crossing the station. Bicycles without headlights were fined during my time. There were two types of headlights. I used to pedal all the way to Pachaiyappa’s College.
The Villivakkam lake has been reduced to half its size with the creation of SIDCO Nagar residential plots and SIDCO industrial estate. This has also resulted in inundation of the area, at times. Due to unauthorised encroachments, the waterways from the lake to the bus stand are nowhere to be seen. The pereri kuttai disappeared with the extension of backyards.
(Rajagopalan retired from Indian Bank and runs Speedstar Technical Institute in Villivakkam)
