From checking groundwater depletion to more train stoppages and need for additional educational institutions to proper road connectivity — these are some of the demands of the over 21 lakh voters in the Tiruvallur constituency.
This reserved constituency is likely to witness a battle between the nominees of the AIADMK (P. Venugopal), the Congress (K. Jayakumar), AMMK (Pon Raja) and Makkal Needhi Maiam (M. Logarangan) this time.
One of the important demands of the residents is to have more trains stop at Tiruvallur railway station. As on date, locals are forced to travel to Chennai to board the trains. “Tiruvallur is a suburban terminus connecting 160 local trains in a day with Chennai and Arakkonam and its daily patronage is over one lakh passengers per day. We want trains to Bangalore, Coimbatore and Mumbai to stop in Tiruvallur,” said K. Bhaskar, former member, Divisional Rail Users Consultative Committee member, Chennai Division.
‘Station to be improved’
The AIADMK nominee and sitting MP, P. Venugopal, claims that the infrastructure at railway stations will be improved. “Already elevators and escalations have been sanctioned for Tiruvallur Railway station. Already a few trains are stopping in Tiruvallur, steps will be taken to ensure more trains halt here.”
Bad roads
Residents are also irked about the state of roads. “The traffic in Tiruvallur is increasing and we have been asking for a bypass road for a long time. For 10 years it has been at the proposal stage. It is difficult to reach the hospitals in case of an accident. A decision on this has to be taken by the newly elected representative,” B. Sunderarajan, State Committee Member, CPI(M) and former municipal chairman, Tiruvallur. He also wanted the new MP to take steps and complete the 200 Feet Road connecting Minjur to Vandalur.
Another complaint is the lack of a proper bus terminus. “We have to go Koyambedu to board a bus to other districts. We need one in Tiruvallur district,” he added.
He said that steps should be taken to develop the Kakalur industrial estate. “The one in Gummidipoondi was developed, but not the one near Tiruvallur. This is sheer inefficiency of the State and Central governments. This would improve employment opportunities,” he added.
Maintaining waterbodies
Residents have called for proper maintenance of the numerous waterbodies in the district. “They should be desilted and protected. This will help solve the water problem. As the leaders were negligent till date, we are facing a drought like situation in the district now,” added H. Ramadoss, a resident of Putlur. Mr. Sunderarajan said that it was time steps were taken to maintain Krishna water canal. Besides, the government should curb sand mining and construct check dams in Arani, Kosasthalayar and Cooum rivers,” he added.
Meanwhile, farmers in Uthukottai and Gummidipoondi are concerned about the depleting groundwater levels. “Due to spurt in industries and poor monitoring, the groundwater levels have depleted and are polluted too. Agricultural lands are turning into real estate plots,” said Dasarathan, a 60-year-old farmer from Vada Thillai, Uthukottai. Farmers complain that groundwater is also depleting due to Government run Amma drinking water unit in Chinthalakuppam, Gummidipoondi.
