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Tale of two `Nagars'
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For the column this week, T.Saravanan chose to visit the well-known twin colonies of Tahsildar Nagar and Sadasiva Nagar near Anna Nagar. And he found two of the self-content colonies with active participation of residents in all the developmental activities with the strong base of residents' associations.
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FROM GROCERIES to textiles, educational institutions to medical facilities and what not, the two colonies of Tahsildar Nagar and Sadasiva Nagar in no way could be branded an extension area. Thickly populated with middle class people, these colonies always appear to be bustling with activity. The residents' associations are also vibrant here.
What one finds in Tahsildar Nagar and Sadasiva Nagar, two of the biggest middle class residential pockets of the Temple City, is thousands of happy inhabitants who have contributed a lot in their own little way in transforming the bushy area filled with thorny shrubs into a good habitat. There is never a dull moment for any visitor to these colonies for he could witness a beehive of activity taking place in one part or the other.
It requires tremendous cooperation and coordination for the public to execute the 3000 metre-long under ground drainage system all by themselves at a cost of Rs.14 lakhs in Sadasiva Nagar of which the public contribution alone amounted to Rs 4 lakhs. And it happened a decade ago, when every association in other residential areas were expecting the State to provide all the basic amenities. Such is the involvement of people in any developmental activity in the area.
"The two colonies fall within the jurisdiction of Melamadai panchayat. We don't depend on the local body for any development work. We have our own fund mobilisation system with which we proceed with the projects on our own. We have provided underground drainage facility to more than 1000 houses. We also collect Rs.10 per month from every house as maintenance cost," points out Ponnuswamy, a retired Block Development Officer and now president of the Sadasiva Nagar Makkal Nala Manram.
"We have appointed scavengers to carry out the regular garbage removal work," he shares.
The Sadasiva Nagar was formed some 40 years ago, when Sadasivam, a professor of Thiagarajar College, constructed his house here. Situated on the banks of the river Vaigai, water in those days was in abundance. As a result, many of his colleagues followed suit attracted that they were by the land value and its proximity to the city. Soon the Revenue department staff also began settling down in Tahsildar Nagar.
The channel, which flanks the two colonies, was originally constructed to drain storm water into the river Vaigai. Now it carries only sewage and stands as a main cause for spreading contagious diseases in the area. But the associations are fighting their will to clean up the channel and restore its original purpose.
Those who designed the layout for these colonies some three decades ago would not have planned for the present day population; hence the roads are narrow. But then the residents' association have once again stepped in to action maintaining the roads in the best possible way. The area, however, enjoys a good connectivity to city, thanks to mini buses and autorickshaws.
But one cannot dismiss the burglary threat in these two colonies. "Even after repeated requests to the police the threat continues. Fortunately, both the areas are free from rowdyism," feels C.T.Kannan, who runs a medical shop in Sadasiva Nagar.
"Though a lot of development works take place in our colony with the initiative of the residents' association, sometimes we face official hiccups which delay our work," feels P.Ramaiah, resident of Tahsildar Nagar.
The depleted ground water table is another big cause of worry among the residents here who are forced to make their own arrangements for drinking water supply through tankers.
Such shortcomings may be common to several colonies now. But each has some distinctive factor to boast about.
Irrespective of multiple efforts going haywire, undertaking developmental efforts is the hallmark of the people here.
The area also has some good educational institutions, which includes a nursing and pharmacy college. And as a major source of entertainment, the residents do not mind watching movies in the nearby cinema theatre.
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