Chennai Residents Present Comprehensive Demands Ahead of 2026 Assembly Elections
As the 2026 Tamil Nadu assembly elections draw closer, residents of Chennai's Nanganallur and Alandur areas have taken proactive steps to ensure their pressing needs are addressed by political parties. The Federation of Nanganallur Welfare Association has formally submitted a detailed 17-point charter of demands, urging all political entities to incorporate these critical issues into their election manifestos.
Infrastructure and Safety Priorities
The memorandum was presented to DMK zonal chairman N Chandran, highlighting several long-standing concerns that affect daily life in these densely populated localities. Among the most significant demands is the conversion of overhead electricity lines to underground cables throughout Nanganallur and Alandur. Federation president S Chandra Bose emphasized the urgency of this measure, stating, "With frequent power outages and increasing safety risks posed by overhead lines, the transition to underground cabling has become absolutely unavoidable for our community's wellbeing."
Another crucial infrastructure demand involves upgrading the local power infrastructure. The association has requested the installation of a modern 110 KV substation at Nanganallur to replace the existing 33 KV facility. This upgrade is deemed essential due to what residents describe as a manifold increase in power consumption over recent years, driven by population growth and increased electrical appliance usage.
Environmental and Recreational Development
The welfare association's charter extends beyond basic utilities to include environmental conservation and community space development. A key environmental demand focuses on the renovation of Adambakkam lake, which has suffered from neglect and pollution. Alongside this restoration project, residents are calling for the development of a well-equipped park complete with walking tracks to serve the community's recreational needs.
Federation general secretary V V Kumaravelu explained the importance of these green initiatives: "Despite being one of Chennai's most densely populated residential areas, we have alarmingly few quality public spaces available. The restoration of Adambakkam lake and creation of a proper park would directly benefit thousands of families who currently lack accessible recreational facilities."
Additionally, the memorandum addresses religious tourism infrastructure by requesting a dedicated parking facility for pilgrims visiting the popular Anjeneyar temple, which currently faces parking chaos during peak visitation periods.
Traffic and Transportation Solutions
Recognizing the severe traffic congestion that plagues the area, the association has proposed several specific transportation improvements:
- Installation of traffic signals at the critical junction of 23rd Street, Thillai Ganga Nagar and the Ring Road
- Implementation of traffic signals at the Meenambakkam subway on GST Road
- Construction of a subway link connecting Pazhavanthangal with 5th Main Road
- Development of a connecting road between Ramnagar and Puzhuthivakkam railway station
The most ambitious transportation demand involves the construction of a road overbridge (ROB) above the Thillai Ganga Nagar subway. According to federation estimates, this infrastructure project would benefit more than three lakh residents by significantly improving traffic flow and reducing commute times across the region.
Strategic Timing for Maximum Impact
The submission of this comprehensive charter comes at a strategically important moment in Tamil Nadu's political calendar. With political parties beginning to formulate their election platforms, residents hope their organized advocacy will translate into concrete policy commitments. The 17-point document represents years of accumulated community concerns that residents believe can no longer be postponed or ignored.
This citizen-led initiative demonstrates how local communities are increasingly taking organized approaches to ensure their needs receive proper attention during election cycles. By presenting a unified, detailed set of demands, the Federation of Nanganallur Welfare Association aims to move beyond general promises to specific, actionable commitments that would substantially improve quality of life for area residents.
