The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Valasaravakkam, a happening place

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Thursday, Aug 21, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Valasaravakkam, a happening place

Aloysius Xavier Lopez

It is the only good extension near the city: Chairman, BAI (South Centre)

— Photo: S. S. Kumar

CONSTrUCTIVE PACE: A scene of construction work going on at Valasarawakkam in Chennai on Wednesday.

CHENNAI: The pursuit of a dwelling unit in the city effectively addressing crucial factors such as proximity to workplace and educational institutions, safety and security, and reasonably good basic amenities has been a challenge for many a middle class households. Valasaravakkam has over the years provided many people the right answer.

“It is the only good extension near the city,” says M.K. Sundaram, Chairman, Builders Association of India (South Centre).

Valasaravakkam, situated to the west of the city and belonging to Tiruvallur district, is a third-grade municipality. It is surrounded on the north by Maduravoyal, east by Virugambakkam, west by Porur and south by Ramapuram.

Valasaravakkam town was upgraded from the special grade panchayat to third-grade municipality on 24.08.2004. In the recent years Valasaravakkam, with a high floating population and rapid development of shopping amenities leading to vibrant business activities, has been displaying signs of developing fast.

The builders are offering flats ranging from 800 to 1200 sq.ft focussing on the middle class. Non-resident Indians (NRIs) are also purchasing properties in Valasaravakkam. They mostly seek bigger houses, says P.Parthasarathy of P.R.Foundation, a real estate consultancy firm.

“The customer profile has been dominated by mainly middle class working people and middle-income business people,” says Mathiazhagan of Vetri Builders and Promoters.

“Many people working in the ITES industry find availability of good residential accommodation suited for them. Some IT industry employees working near the offices on the Arcot Road also prefer Valasaravakkam as factors such as access to airport is good,” says S. M. Bakyaraj, a resident.

“Further development of Valasaravakkam depends on removal of encroachments on the Arcot Road and subsequent road widening. A wide Arcot Road, which is the main link road to Valasaravakkam, will reduce the traffic congestion,” said Mr.Sundaram.

“We moved to Valasaravakkam four years ago as the groundwater was good. Most of the houses in Valasaravakkam have wells with water available at just 10 to 15 ft.,” says S.Jaya, a resident.

“We bought one ground in Valasaravakkam seven years ago for Rs.3.4 Lakh. Prices have risen manifold,” she adds.

Vijayshanthi Builders managing director Suresh Jain says, “As Valasaravakkam has proximity to T.Nagar despite location beyond the city limits we decided to go ahead with a project in 1990s. The availability of good groundwater also played a role in the development of the region as an excellent residential location.”

The rainwater harvesting schemes have been provided in all municipal buildings and more than 10,000 private buildings and this has further augmented water availability. “But monsoon rains usually have made water-logging a serious problem,” says Ms. Jaya.

“The public transport is not available in the interior areas of Valasaravakkam. Engaging an autorickshaw is also a tough task. My wife was forced to buy a two-wheeler to take my kid to school,” says another resident.

Some of the residents feel initiatives towards better transport connectivity from Koyambedu may help develop the interior areas of Valasaravakkam as a better residential location.

“Even though Metrowater connectivity is not yet complete for all the houses, we do not have water scarcity as ground water is available in plenty. Drainage connection is also available,” says Mr. Bakyaraj.

“There have been problems faced by some residents of Valasaravakkam as around 50 per cent of the land has been part of the area of the Tamil Nadu Housing Board’s project in the 1970s,” says Mr.Mathiazagan.

“Legal hurdles came in the way of the acquisition of land for the housing board project in the 70s. Now many houses have been denied approval by the CMDA for construction or extension despite having the relevant documents of the registration department and revenue department as they claim that it has been notified land,” says Mr. Mathiazagan.

“The people have made representations to the government to solve this problem of many residents of Valasaravakkam,” says E.C.Sekar, Chairman of Valasaravakkam Municipality.

“Valasaravakkam does not have many industries and pollution levels are low. The location of some educational institutions nearby gave an impetus to Valasaravakkam to develop as a residential location,” says Mr.Jain. “It is still a happening place,” he says.

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