Chennai: Four years after the formation of Tambaram corporation, basic civic grievances remain unresolved, councillors stated during the corporation council meeting on Thursday. Issues such as water shortage, poor drain maintenance, lack of overhead tanks, encroachments, and stray dog menace continue to plague the area.
Heated exchanges at council meeting
The first council meeting since the new state government assumed office witnessed heated exchanges. Councillors across party lines faulted the administration for ignoring long-pending complaints. They alleged that officials rarely visit wards to inspect problems or meet residents.
Water crisis persists
Spread across 87 sq km with five zones and 70 wards, Tambaram has experienced rapid population growth, but civic infrastructure has not kept pace. Officials stated that the corporation requires 130 million litres per day (MLD) of drinking water but receives only 90 MLD.
Independent councillor V Sangeetha (ward 35) highlighted that residents receive water only on alternate days for just 15 minutes. “The water tank can store only 5,000 litres. We need a larger one,” she said, adding that the issue has been raised repeatedly over several years.
Maternity benefit scheme issues
Sangeetha also noted that many residents in her zone have not received benefits under the state government’s maternity benefit scheme, which provides ₹18,000 and nutrition kits to eligible pregnant women. City health officer Bhoopesh said many beneficiaries may not have completed their KYC process, and the corporation will take steps to ensure disbursement.
Slaughterhouse and dialysis centre concerns
DMK councillor M Yacoob (ward 50) said the lack of a slaughterhouse has led to animals being killed at random locations. He also raised concerns about the corporation’s dialysis centre, where a generator placed outside the premises is being misused and exposed to rain. “It should be moved inside the UPHC,” he said.
Stray dog menace
Stray dogs were another flashpoint. Corporation data puts the number at around 46,000 across five zones, with officials estimating the actual figure could be closer to 50,000. AIADMK councillor G Shankar (ward 65) said at least 10 aggressive strays roam every street. “When complaints are raised, officials take the dogs for treatment, but soon release them back in the same place,” he said. He also questioned the disparity in ward funds, noting that while some wards receive more than ₹2 crore annually, others get only ₹12 lakh.
Corporation's response
Corporation commissioner S Balachander said the civic body has laid more than 330 roads in two years and introduced a new solid waste management system in Zone 4. He added that Tambaram is expected to receive 150 MLD from the Perur desalination plant next year.
