Adambakkam is a thickly populated suburb flanking the railway line, close to the St. Thomas Mount Railway Station, Chennai. The residents mostly belong to the middle and upper middle classes. ChennaiOnline recently spoke to the residents of the area to get first hand information on the conditions prevailing in the area. It is understood from them that the needs of this important suburb have not been looked after for a long time. Even basic amenities have not been provided, said the residents.

Adambakkam is a low-lying area and even a rain – just stronger than a drizzle – leads to water-logging. The ribbon-thick-black-topped roads are easily washed away by such water-logging, leaving slush, mud and water collecting on the roads and remaining undrained for a number of days. The roads become unfit therefore, even for walking. The woes of the two-wheeler riders need no elaboration. Almost all the residents who have to reach the city from other interior areas that are developing have to use these roads to reach the Anna Salai, the city’s traffic mainstream. The number of two wheelers is staggeringly high in this area and the condition of the roads leaves much to be desired. Even the recent summer showers had made the residents of the area go through hell, not to mention what is in store for them during rainy seasons.

It is strongly felt that a drainage canal has to be laid immediately from the Maduvinkarai railway gate up to Kakkan Nagar, to obviate this oft-occurring problem. If the water thus drained through this canal reaches the Velachery Lake, it would add to the water resources apart from saving the water table from going too low.

The Maduvinkarai railway gate is a spot of dense vehicular movement. The gate is almost always closed, naturally so because of the frequent movement of electric trains. Traffic jam is the order of the day. You should consider it that you have won a lottery ticket if you are able to drive through the area within a reasonable time and without traffic jam, on any day. A subway is a must for this point. That would go a long way in easing the pressure on the road.

Commuters from Velachery, going to various destinations reach the bus stop close to the Guindy racecourse. The railway station is situated very close and it is ideal for these people coming by bus to board a train to reach their desired destinations. But the strange thing is, there is no ticket counter on this side of the railway station. The result is that all these passengers have to use the flight of stairs leading to the foot over-bridge, go to the other side of the station, stand in the queue which is already long from the floods of human beings washed ashore from the Guindy Industrial Estate bus terminus. Opening a ticket counter on the racecourse side is not a big thing for the railway administration and that would go a long way in easing the problems of a large number of people.

Another thing is the encroachments on the Maduvinkarai area. Unless these encroachments are cleared and the road expanded adequately, it will not be possible for the buses that would ply through the area – with the laying of the new road on the city limits – to use this road effectively. In addition to that, the road is to be provided with platforms on both sides.

The graveyard cum burning-ghat in Balakrishnapuram needs to be improved urgently. The graveyard is no exception during rains and at least knee-deep water collects there. There are other problems like proper pathways and lighting inside. There should be adequate number of sheds for the use of those who come to bury the dead, during rains.

Saravanan
translated by Hari Krishnan