TAMBARAM: Spread over 200 sq km, Tambaram Assembly constituency has nearly 9 lakh voters, equivalent to the electorate strength of 4-5 constituencies in the city.

Given its vast area and varied problems, it may be too much to expect from an elected representative from Tambaram to satisfy the needs of the people.

With indications that by the next Assembly election Tambaram will be split into nothing less than three constituencies, May 8 may be the last occasion when such a large number of people will exercise their franchise . Problems here are varied — from the pathetic state of basic infrastructure to abysmally poor health and sanitation facilities and fast depletion of water resources.

There were more than 100 tanks and lakes in Tambaram taluk alone (some of them come under the Alandur constituency) and many of them have vanished, while the rest are only a patch of their original size.

In the past 10 years or so the people have rallied together like never before to protect natural resources.

Tambaram, considered the southern gateway to Chennai, lacks a proper drainage network while even smaller local bodies have started work on it.

Bus terminus

The East Tambaram bus terminus is in such a condition that residents joke that it, apart from the Koyambedu terminus, is the longest in the world. In the absence of a proper terminus, buses are parked one behind another all the way from the railway level crossing up to the Madras Christian College.

The foundation stone for an integrated court complex near the Tambaram taluk office was laid over two years ago, but there is no progress. Once completed, it will bring immense relief to hundreds of litigants and advocates, according to G. Parameshwaran of the Tambaram Bar Association.

Lack of health facilities, housing, water and sanitation is acutely felt in some areas.

Upgrading local bodies that have been downgraded and a comprehensive scheme to ensure adequate water supply to the 30-odd local bodies are some of the pressing issues which will have to be looked into by the elected representative.

The more recent controversy surrounding the expansion of the Chennai airport in Pozhichalur and Anakaputhur is another problem.

With the increase in population and the subsequent pressure on water and space, the first casualty is the environment.

Garbage disposal

A lot needs to be done on scientific handling and disposal of garbage and sewage here. Local activists point out that the political parties are silent on protecting waterbodies. Protecting them would mean removal of encroachments, which account for a chunk of voters.

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