A small sandy footpath in front of 52-year-old K. Yasoda’s hut in Kamarajapuram in Manali New Town acts as the veranda of her house.
When it rains, she and her two children move to an elevated area in New Town for safety. Once the rain stops, she returns to her damaged hut, where her forefathers lived for generations as farm labourers.
Life is uncertain for most of the residents in Ward 16 that comprises low-lying areas such as Burma Nagar, Kadapakkam, Sadayankuppam, Kanniammalpettai, Kulakarai, Andarkuppam and Kamarajarpuram. These areas are located at the northern tip of the expanded Greater Chennai Corporation bordering Tiruvallur district along Bay of Bengal.
During northeast monsoons, the locality is engulfed in waist-deep water. During last year’s floods, six government schools in the neighbourhood saved many residents of these low-lying areas from drowning. Hundreds of them stayed on the terraces of these schools for days before government relief reached them. “After every heavy rain, our damaged hut is replaced with a new one. Concrete houses will safeguard us and our belongings,” says S. Deviammal, a resident of Andarkuppam.
Until five years ago, before the merger with the Corporation, Ward 16 had two village panchayats, namely Kadapakkam and Sadayankuppam, under the Puzhal Panchayat Union of Tiruvallur district. Cultivation of sugarcane, banana, paddy, greens, brinjal and long chilli was the major occupation of these villages. Residents along the coast also did fishing for more income. Life has not changed much since its merger with the civic body as more than 200 hectares are still under cultivation, mainly banana and paddy.
Residents pin their hopes on the recent survey done by the Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board (TNSCB) to replace huts with concrete houses under the Centrally-sponsored scheme, ‘Houses for All.’
Around 1,100 families were identified for the scheme in the neighbourhood. The AIADMK councillor, K. Thangasivam, who is also the chairman of Manali Zone, agrees that a lot needs to be done to improve the lives of the residents. “Better healthcare facility is a priority,” he says.
“We have six government schools. Pipelines are being laid for regular water supply. So far, we replaced 4,000 sodium vapour lights with LEDs. Most of the 160 streets are bitumen topped. “But, during emergencies, we have to rush sick people to Manali New Town, around 4 km from our locality,” Thangasivam admits.
. Ward Number: 16 (Kadapakkam in Manali New Town in north Chennai).
. Total Area: 2.50 sq. km.
. Zone: Manali (Zone – 2).
. Key Boundaries: Mathur, Manali, Madhavaram, Tiruvottiyur, Puzhal and Kathivakkam
. Total Population: 15, 000
. Total Voters: 9, 870
. Total Streets: 160
. Total Parks: Five (5)
. Total Government Schools: Six (6)
. Total Government Health Centres: Nil
. Key Bus Routes: Broadway, CMBT, Manali, Tiruvottiyur and Kodungaiyur
. Councillor’s Name: K. Thangasivam (AIADMK)
. Councillor’s phone number: 9445467016
. Ward AE phone number: 9445190316
