Chennai: “A new bus terminus in Ullagaram in the city suburb is in the pipeline. Estimation work is completed,” said Shollinganallur MLA Arvind Ramesh.
Speaking to ‘News Today’, the MLA said that works to come up with government schools in Chitlapakkam and Medavakkam in the locality are on. Also a tennis court is planned at Ullagaram.
Excerpts from his interview
Q: Your development plans for the constituency.
A: I am working to bring proper drainage and Metro Water to the constituency. In some areas, immediate civic development works are on. Estimations have been made to build a new bus terminus in Ullagaram, a tennis court in Pallikaranai and government schools in Chitlapakkam and Medavakkam.
Q: What are the immediate needs of the people here?
A: We need a proper sewage system and a multi-speciality hospital here. In areas like Uthandi,
Palavakkam, Neelangarai, and Injambakkam, no steps were taken to instal sewage lines. I have been asking the department to construct a multi-speciality hospital in Sholinganallur for years, but they are reluctant to do it.
Q: What problems do you think resettlements face?
A: The most important thing is that, people living in Perumbakkam, Mylai Balaji Nagar and Chemmencheri resettlement areas are not even provided basic facilities.
Most settlements are built with primary health centres with upto 30 beds. But due to lack of doctors and medical necessities, people are forced to go Royapettah and Chengalpattu government hospitals.
Q: What is the status of the Integrated Storm Water Drain?
A: The news is not encouraging. If ISWD is installed, it could prevent the locality from flooding during monsoon.
Also, through ISWD, excess rain water can be stored in nearby water bodies. The main reason for water stagnation in areas like Madipakkam, Velacheri and other low-lying areas is because of unconnected SWDs. But before installing the ISWD network, the existing sewage line work and Metro Water pipeline works, that are on on at many areas, have to be completed.
Q: Residents had recently requested you to equalise the count of ration cards in ration stores. What is the status of the plea?
A: I have discussed the matter with Assistant Commissioner of Corporation. He said he will take immediate action on the matter. Also, I have inspected ration shops and inquired about the problems faced by people.
Q: Will Madipakkam get underground EB network this year?
A: I have raised the issue with State Electricity Minister, S P Velumani, in the Assembly several times. He assured me that works are about to start soon in areas that were recently annexed to the Corporation. But he did not set any deadline.
Q: People say there were issues in tax collection in the area.
A: Yes, there are issues in tax collection. After annexation with Chennai Corporation, property taxes were increased two times that of earlier amount. In some areas, residents are paying property taxes for past four years. I discussed the matter with the Chennai Corporation Commissioner and asked him to regularise collection.