Residents Welfare Associations are platforms, where people exchange their views or address difficulties or problems faced by them in their neighbourhood. One such association – Garden Avenue Welfare Association, Mogappair, recently celebrated its 15th anniversary. Participants of the meet thanked the office-bearers for having helped the residents to voice their problems to officials and elected representatives of the Government.
According to those present on the memorable occasion, the association since its birth on January 11, 1998, had helped to sort out many issues related to Metrowater, street lights and making roads motorable. Residents thus took the opportunity to thank the Chennai Corporation for black topping Thiruvalluvar Road and adjoining streets.
They cited examples of various government projects that are in progress with the efforts of the association, such as construction of a road over bridge over Cooum, cleaning of Mangal Eri, construction of a flyover near Thirumangalam, broadening of some important roads in the area. Recalling all the struggles that the association had faced so far, president of the association, Syed Munir Ahmed told Downtown that a police booth near DAV School was constructed as a result of their efforts during November 2004 and a traffic signal was installed in July 2009.
It was recalled that the association had been urging officials to restore width of Thiruvalluvar Road to 66ft. But the residents were not happy and they felt that Chennai Corporation had definitely increased the width considerably, but still there is a need to widen it further.
Some of then pointed out that operation of buses to various destinations via this road up to Poonamallee High Road is a dream yet to be realised.
“Many day-to-day issues such as safety of women travelling during late hours, removal of unauthorised parking of vehicles, improper functioning of traffic signals, are being pursued with officials,” added Munir Ahmed.
“Garden Avenue Welfare Association has always set the trend and shall always strive to achieve the impossible for the benefit of not only its residents, but also the neighbours. We will associate with the Government agencies to provide the infrastructures needed in the coming days,” he said.
Construction of a modern Government hospital, removal of garbage from canals, provision of underground cables for street lights, opening of a post-office and railway ticket booking counter in Mogappair are some of the key issues that are still pending with the association.
