Growth and modernisation fuelled by the Chennai Port continues to have an impact on the civic conditions in Ward 50 covering key neighbourhoods of Royapuram. The presence of major heritage landmarks such as the Royapuram Railway Station, Parsi Fire Temple on West Mada Street and St. Peter’s Church, plays a key role in the planning and development of civic infrastructure.
The livelihood of most of the residents in the ward revolved around the Chennai Port until a few years ago, when modernisation cost them their jobs as labourers in the port. Now, most of them commute to other parts of the city to make a living. But connectivity remains a challenge because of the traffic congestion.
The ward’s population also constitutes thousands of residents for whom fishing is the main source of livelihood. Besides, a number of rich seafarers of the city belong to this ward.
“Many residents of the ward lost their jobs in the port due to continuous modernisation, efficient services at minimum cost and integrated procedures,” said a resident.
The residents have since looked out for alternative sources of livelihood leading to the evolution of commercial enterprises in many parts of the ward. Trades relating to logistics and food grain polishing industries have come up along major roads and have also attracted migrant labourers.
The other civic issues in the ward are the continuous damage to the roads caused by the frequent movement of heavy vehicles to the port and food processing industries.
“The Corporation has relaid the Sheikh Maistry Street twice in three years. An oil marketing company transports goods in a hige 30-tonne vehicle, damaging the entire stretch,” complained a resident.
Most of the roads in the ward remained unaffected during the heavy rains in December last year, thanks to the carefully-designed stormwater drains constructed by British engineers, said an official of the Chennai Corporation. But stretches such as Venkatesan Street, Vannar Street, East Madha Church Street and Corporation Line were reportedly flooded because of the damages to stormwater drains caused by other projects.
The pollution caused by iron ore handling in the port has reduced now. Residents said the greenery along most of the roads has improved because of a major tree-planting drive initiated a few years ago. However lack of parking space and traffic congestion remains a challenge.
