Chennai: North Chennai's R K Nagar constituency, once represented by the late chief minister J Jayalalithaa, regained political prominence on Thursday after its MLA, Marie Wilson, managing director of Jeppiaar University, was sworn in as finance minister. For the first time, Velachery has a minister — MLA R Kumar, a civil engineer, is now the state information technology and artificial intelligence minister.
Residents Voice Expectations
Residents in both constituencies say the ministerial berths have raised hopes for quicker solutions to long-pending civic and infrastructure issues. Velachery, dotted with gated communities, apartment clusters, and active resident welfare associations, has emerged as one of the city's most vocal constituencies on civic governance. Key demands include the revival of Velachery Lake, restoration of Veerangal Odai (water channel), and removal of encroachments from waterbodies such as Kallukuttai — all critical for flood mitigation.
“Our expectations have grown because our MLA is now a minister. We took him to several places during the campaigning days. Velachery lake has to be desilted and the bund wall must be removed after clearing encroachments in line with high court orders. Sewage discharge into stormwater drains must stop,” said Geetha Ganesh of AGS Colony. “We also asked for a zero-odour pumping station and he assured us that it would be done,” she added.
Beach Revamp and Infrastructure
Another key demand is the revamp of Besant Nagar's Elliot's Beach, one of Chennai's busiest public spaces and a tourism hotspot. Residents want illegal shops removed, better pedestrian access, and organised parking facilities. Kumar inspected several civic hotspots, including Elliot's Beach, and met multiple RWAs in recent days. “I have a lot of ideas, and the chief minister has given me this opportunity. People will see results soon,” he said.
Challenges in R K Nagar
On the other end of the spectrum is R K Nagar, with dense lower-income neighbourhoods, slums, and resettlement colonies. It faces a different set of urban challenges. Residents are demanding two long-pending railway flyovers at Korukkupet to decongest traffic, restoration of the sewage-filled North Buckingham Canal, and stronger mitigation around the Kodungaiyur dumpyard, parts of which fall within the constituency. Residents also want a government hospital, saying many still depend on the distant Stanley Government Hospital for treatment.
“The minister should bring people-friendly projects and allocate funds. We are happy RK Nagar has become a star seat again after ten years, and basic problems such as sewage mixing in drinking water must be fixed,” said R Boopalan, a resident of Tondiarpet.
Ministerial Inspections and Plans
Wilson, who recently inspected the Kodungaiyur dumpyard, has instructed officials to speed up restoration measures. “I will meet residents soon and discuss the development plan,” he said. The appointments have sparked optimism that long-standing issues in both constituencies will finally receive the attention and resources needed for resolution.
