A new constituency hosting its second election, a mass of angry voters and an old warhorse. Summing up the brief introduction is the fact that the MLA seeking reelection from Kadirgamam is the incumbent Chief Minister, N Rangasamy. Bad roads, spurt in crimes and unemployment are some of the issues begging an answer from Rangasamy at the end of his tenure as Kadirgamam’s elected representative.
If on one hand this agrarian belt houses vital institutions like the Indira Gandhi Medical College, Rajiv Gandhi Government Women and Children Hospital, and the new Collectorate, on the other are the allegations of haphazard development at the expense of agriculture and exploitation of natural resources.
With summer already setting in, the Union Territory is staring at an imminent water scarcity. However, little has been done to offset the crisis. A case in point is neglect of Kanakaneri Lake, a part of which was encroached upon to set up the Government Medical College. After much hue and cry, renovation works were taken up and a dent of `25 lakh was made on the coffers, but a look at its present state narrates a sorry tale of neglect. It’s not the lakes alone that have been victims of apathy. The Government Medical College lacks proper infrastructure and does not have adequate staff. Residents have been clamouring for proper management of biomedical waste at the Medical College and the RGGWCH.
Over the years, law and order has taken a beating here. There has been a spurt in thefts and chain snatching incidents. Vinoth Vasanth Kumar, a consultant from Golden Avenue, says, “The road leading to Thanthai Periyar Nagar is the favourite hunting ground of the chain snatchers. In recent times, the miscreants have taken to attacking the victims as well. More police booths and CCTV coverage are needed to keep the menace in check.”
Designed by the French, the well-planned drainage system was an engineering marvel. However, with its emergence as a major tourism hub, and the concomitant mushrooming of the hospitality sector, the officials chalked out not a well thought out plan to deal with waste management. The resultant underground drainage system saw the sewers clogging regularly. The hazards of poor planning and execution were witnessed during the recent rains, when barely a few streets escaped inundation. If puddles of stagnant water coupled with shoddy conservancy work by civic bodies are available, can mosquitoes be far behind? Staff crunch at the Vector Control Department has given the mosquitoes conducive environment to breed, says G Muniappan, a housekeeper at Thanthaiperiyar Nagar.
Riding through the town is becoming increasingly difficult, with Villianur Main Road, 100 Feet Road, Vazhuthavoor Road and Gorimedu seeing traffic snarls. Poor enforcement has resulted in a rise in number of casualties, says Prem Anand, an entrepreneur. “The plan to construct a subway in front of RGGWCH has not seen the day of light,” he adds.
Taking Matter Into Own Hands
Even as complaints against the government keep piling up, the residents, who believe that Kadirgamam could be developed as a model constituency, have taken it upon themselves to act and not remain mere spectators. The citizens have launched a Citizen First initiative, with social activist S Shibi leading from front, to address various issues of the constituency. As part of the initiative, Shibi says, the group plans to organise meetings with various stakeholders from different wards every month, and with the local MLA at least every six months. The group has taken several initiatives to understand the issues plaguing the residents and to bring it to the notice of the officials concerned. “Whatever be the fate of this election, irrespective of the outcome, Citizen First will work for the common interest of the constituency and State. This association will extend all co-operation to the administration for making the lives of people better,” Shibi adds.
The comprehensive development of the areas was never a priority for the administration. Several issues of the common man have not been addressed — S Shibi, Social activist
Encroachments ought to be removed. Plan to construct a subway in front of the RGGWCH has not seen the day of light. It would have been a boon for the pedestrians — Prem Anand, An entrepreneur