The Hindu 10.07.2009

parks lined up for Madhavaram

K. Lakshmi

CHENNAI: Many areas in Madhavaram will get a lung space soon with the local body developing eight parks on lands that were locked in litigation for several years.

One of the localities that will get a park is Teachers Colony at Kolathur. With a park being developed in 4th Layout, residents and children need not travel up to Anna Nagar, says G. Selvam, Federation of Welfare Associations president.

Though the area was developed in the 1980s, residents did not have recreational facilities. There have been several chain-snatching incidents, many of the victims being morning walkers. In the absence of a park the residents had to walk on roads.

A Madhavaram Municipality official says the 8,000-sq.ft park in Teachers Colony will be developed at a cost of Rs.10 lakh. “We expect to inaugurate the park by this month-end. It will have walkers’ track, tennis court and play area for children.”

Nearly Rs.1 crore has been allocated to create parks in eight localities, including Assisi Nagar, Secretariat Colony, Vinayagapuram and Ring Road Housing Sector.

N. Anandan, president of the Teachers’ Colony Residents’ Welfare Association, says blacktopping of roads and construction of stormwater drains are among long-pending demands of the residents.

They also want the bus stand in the area to be developed.

Stormwater drain

According to the official, the local body has taken measures to provide a stormwater drain network in five wards covering the localities. Culverts will be constructed along Red Hills Road at Vinayagapuram, which was heavily flooded during the last monsoon. A library is proposed to be constructed in Third Layout of Teachers’ Colony. Some of the badly damaged roads such as Fourth Main Road, Gangaiamman Koil Street and Netaji Street will soon be re-laid.