Ward 102 covers planned residential areas that seem to be losing their charm to infrastructure development projects.
With Metro Rail work nearing completion after a delay, roads and footpaths are being renovated. However, no saplings have been planted at places where trees were uprooted during Cyclone Vardah.
A few years ago, Thiru Vi-Ka Park was the key attraction in Anna Nagar zone, and was an enriching green lung, setting an example for the entire metropolitan area. Even as residents of the ward report a number of civic issues such as mosquito density, reduced water supply, building violations, reduction in green cover, traffic congestion and inundation during monsoon, the damage caused to the park by metro rail project continues to remain a major concern. Residents of the planned locality do not have space for recreation. Owing to construction activity, fewer residents visit the park.
“We are not against major infrastructure projects. We do not want to lose the original nature of the Thiru-Vi-Ka Park and greenery in our area. Officials said the Metro Rail project would be completed in December 2015 and the park would be restored to its original condition. But the condition seems to be deteriorating. We request the officials to restore the park soon. Only commercial development is being given priority; building violations seem to be condoned,” said T. Divya, a resident.
Corporation officials said the Metro Rail work in the park is expected to be completed in three months. “Restoration will start only after completion of the work,” said an official.
The park spread over a nine-acre expanse had fallen into disuse in 2007 and local residents in the area called for modernisation of the park.
After Chennai Corporation restored the park, Metro Rail took over, damaging the entire park again.
Residents said many property transactions had taken place in the neighbourhood owing to Metro Rail work in the past few months. The real estate price has skyrocketed. Residents are selling their homes, making way for commercial structures.
Avenues such as Pulla Avenue and First Avenue are expected to become busy commercial roads with many development projects. Residents said brokers are offering huge sums of money to owners for redeveloping property.
This has also led to a rise in building violations in the area.
Slums in the area along the Cooum River report water shortage, inadequate conservancy operations and mosquito density.
