With the Tamil Nadu and the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) Budget announcements fast approaching, some Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) have put forth a charter of expectations, urging the authorities to focus on long-pending basic infrastructure works.
Harsha Koda of the Federation of OMR Resident Associations (FOMRRA) alleged that residents of Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) had been waiting for more than 15 years for basic civic amenities such as piped water supply and underground sewage connections. He said many roads also lack proper stormwater drains (SWD), citing the Model School Road in Sholinganallur, where nearly 7,000 apartments lack a functional SWD system, resulting in frequent flooding during the monsoon.
Across the OMR stretch, which has an estimated one lakh apartments, stormwater drains have been laid only in a few smaller lanes and remain largely unconnected, making them incapable of handling heavy or continuous rainfall, he said. Mr. Koda further said that despite repeated budgetary allocations for stormwater and drainage projects by the Tamil Nadu government and the GCC since 2016, implementation has been inadequate.
He added that Sholinganallur, a key part of Chennai’s IT corridor and a major contributor through property and sales taxes, has not received commensurate infrastructure investment to address these long-pending issues.
The Alliance of Resident Welfare Associations has called on the GCC to allocate funds in the interim Budget for a technical audit and rectification of stormwater drains, restoration of roads, and completion of pending infrastructure works.
The association also sought transparency in contracts and expenditure, adherence to quality standards in water management, and the setting up of a swift grievance redress mechanism to reduce flood risk.
Stressing that durable, basic civic infrastructure must take precedence over “cosmetic, temporary measures and freebies”, it urged the authorities to ensure sustainable development and to revisit the proposal to expand waste-to-energy capacity at the Kodungaiyur dumpyard.
Gomathinayagam, president of the Neelangarai Residents’ Welfare Association, said that though the overhead tank under the Nemmeli Desalination Plant project was inaugurated by Chief Minister M.K Stalin about 10 days ago, water supply to households is yet to commence.
Residents have also expressed concern over the lack of clarity on connection charges, with some stating that the cost could be as high as ₹80,000. Installation of water meters is still awaited, he added.
Further, he flagged delays in the widening of the 8.8 km to 10.5 km stretch from Thiruvanmiyur to Akkarai into six lanes, which is over 50% complete but remains stalled due to land acquisition issues. Also, three proposed iron-girder bridges linking ECR and OMR have not yet been taken up, he said.
T.R. Subhash, general secretary of the Sarathy Nagar Residents’ Welfare Association, said a six-vent culvert located behind a saree retail hall in Velachery carries floodwater from Sarathy Nagar, Tansi Nagar, Bhuvaneswari Nagar, VGP Nagar, and Selva Nagar.
However, the culvert has no proper outlet to the Pallikaranai marshland, leading to recurrent water stagnation. Though funds are reportedly allocated every year, the work has not been executed so far, he said. He added that the area has witnessed a reduction in bus services over the years, underscoring the need for a dedicated bus terminus. Direct connectivity to Kilambakkam or Koyambedu would benefit a large number of residents, he said, pointing out that many currently spend around ₹600 on cab fares to reach Kilambakkam.
Kathiravan Duraisamy of Maduravoyal said RWAs across the constituency have urged the authorities to prioritise completion of long-pending civic works over announcing new projects.
Residents seek regulation of heavy vehicle movement through residential areas, maintenance of existing parks, walking tracks, and senior citizen-friendly amenities. They have flagged basic infrastructure gaps in Nolambur, Vanagaram, Alapakkam and surrounding areas that continue to affect daily life, including damaged interior roads, persistent waterlogging during rain, inadequate stormwater drainage, irregular water supply, and poor waste management.
“The residents called for expediting completion of stormwater drain networks in interior roads and regular desilting of canals before the monsoon, as incomplete or poorly connected systems often aggravate flooding,” he added.
He said citizens also sought expansion of Metro water supply and underground drainage to all streets, and the setting up of localised waste composting units.
Published – February 15, 2026 05:30 am IST
