Part of Kodambakkam and home to many television and film celebrities, including music composer A.R. Rahman, Ward 133 presents itself as a quiet locality.
Spread over 1.2 sq. km, the ward has over 120 streets and houses over 38,000 people. This ward has streets in Ashok Nagar also.
Residents say people are more cooperative and there are very few complaints. “This is more like a village where people help each other. The groundwater level is good, so water is not a major problem,” M. Balakrishnan, a resident, said. Though he does not rely on Metrowater, he felt that the water pressure should be increased.
Other residents, however, said that the garbage clearance in the locality is not proper. “The litter is not cleared regularly. There is also mosquito menace. This is a health hazard for children and the elderly in the locality,” said S. Visalam, a resident of Arya Gowda Road.
Another issue raised by the residents is traffic chaos in some parts of the ward. “The major point where congestion occurs is Arya Gowda Road-Raju Street Junction. During peak hours, it becomes very difficult to walk on the stretch,” said Karthik Subburaj, a motorist who travels on the stretch frequently.
Besides, residents complain that some parts of the ward see water stagnation during monsoon. “There is also a need to broaden the footpaths and remove encroachments. Many streets in the ward serve as a connecting path among T. Nagar, West Mambalam, Ashok Nagar and Vadapalani. So the congestion is increasing day by day,” said M. Sethuraman, a resident.
Corporation officials said steps were being taken to desilt stormwater drains before the monsoon. “We are also trying to solve the congestion problem. We are working on complaints about the garbage not being cleared on time,” said a Chennai Corporation official from the ward.
Councillor E. Geethalakshmi said cement roads had been laid in slums. Water and sewer connections have also been provided. “I try and ensure that the people in my ward do not have any complaints,” she said.
