Chennai Citizen Connect: Pozhichalur residents seek access to newly built park
CHENNAI: Residents of Pozhichalur are frustrated as the newly built public park, constructed at a cost of 28 crore, continues to remain locked and inaccessible, for more than four months since completion.
Pozhichalur is a fast-growing residential area with expanding housing layouts, but for years, locals had no proper children’s parks, play areas, or walking tracks for senior citizens.
Residents repeatedly submitted petitions to local bodies and the district administration, demanding basic recreational infrastructure for families, children, and the elderly.
Administrative conflicts between the Pozhichalur panchayat and the local ward councillor are said to be the main reason behind the delay in opening the park
Responding to these demands, in 2023, under the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) development scheme, funds were sanctioned to build a large public park in Bhavani Nagar, at an estimated cost of 28 crore.
Construction began about a year ago and included children’s play equipment, swings, slides, landscaped green spaces, and walking tracks for adults.
The park’s construction was completed by September 2025. Residents expected it to be formally inaugurated and opened for public use soon after.
Stone plaques were even installed in the park showing an inauguration date of October 2, 2025, creating the impression that the park had been officially opened.
However, the park has remained shut continuously, with its gates locked, and no public access allowed.
Recently, frustrated residents, with the support of the local ward councillor, cleaned the park themselves and attempted to use it without waiting for an official inauguration.
In response, the panchayat administration chained and locked the gates again, preventing public entry.
Dinesh Kumar, a local resident, said we have sent formal complaints to the district administration and the Alandur Panchayat Union office, but no concrete action has been taken so far.
Locals also said that administrative conflicts between the Pozhichalur Panchayat and the local ward councillor are the main reason behind the delay in opening the park.
When contacted, Pozhichalur Panchayat officials said that some finishing works are still pending, including electrical connections and minor infrastructure works, and assured that the park would be opened to the public soon after completion of these works.