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Photo: G. Moorthy

Serene A locality with lush green ambience

Tucked between the Fatima College Railway track and the non-gazetted officers’ colonies of Pandian Nagar and Koodal Nagar, Shanthi Nagar primarily comprises middle class and lower middle class group of people.

It has four streets named after flowers such as Malligai, Mullai, Roja and Thamarai. The attempt is symbolic of the nature’s play in the area.

Earmarked in 1966 by the employees of the Life Insurance Corporation, Shanthi Nagar happens to be one of the earliest extension areas.

“That was the time when LIC employees felt the need to have a place of their own and hence, the LIC Cooperative House Building Society was created to cater to the financial needs of the employees. During that period there were also requests from another group of employees to create another society for developing houses in Meenambalpuram near Sellur. After a lot of struggle permission was accorded,” recalls P.K. Ramasamy, a retired employee of LIC and one of the earlier settlers in the area.

Within two years of its formation, 47 houses were constructed on 3.92 acres and with that came a request from other employees to have a second unit of Shanthi Nagar, which then came into being with another 20 houses on 1.56 acres in 1972.

The plots were of varied sizes including five and a half cents and seven and a half cents. The society offered Rs.12,000 for construction on 600 square feet and Rs.14,000 for construction on 720 square feet.

It was also considered to be one of the bastions of communist party with several active members residing in this locality.

“A lot of them shifted their base and not many are left now. But the area was very vibrant and the remnants can still be seen. People here had the conviction to fight for their rights and persevere till they got it.

When the area was reeling under acute drinking water problem, we gathered people from neighbouring colonies and formed a federation to fight for the water. Ultimately, we tasted success as Vilangudi Town Panchayat, under whose limits the area falls, provided water from the Vaigai riverbed.

But still we fall short of our requirements. We have already expressed our anguish at appropriate levels and have been told that an integrated drinking water scheme has been planned,” says Mr. Ramasamy.

P. Vijayakumar, a resident of neighbouring Pandian Nagar, admits that scarcity of potable water is a great cause of concern for the residents of the locality. “Though the ground water table is at appreciable level, the water can not be used because of its high alkaline base. The water tanks are also not well maintained.”

Though the main roads are well laid, the approach roads cry for attention. Another problem here is lack of parks for children and elders. Echoes V. Paul Victor, a teacher of American College Higher Secondary School and a resident: “The oily nature of groundwater creates skin problems. Mosquitoes haunt the area though fogging and fumigation are being done periodically. Still people are left with no clue to control mosquitoes.”

Everybody agrees that the Koodal Nagar Bridge has been a boon for the residents. Medical facilities in the area give no reason for complaint.

The LIC Cooperative House Building Society generates revenue through two shopping complexes. Impressed by the facilities here, people from neighbouring Kurinji, Balaji and Elango streets have attached their streets to Shanthi Nagar, says Mr. Ramasamy.

With basic infrastructure facilities in place and widespread development all around, real estate is a booming business here too.

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