CHENNAI: The Tambaram Corporation Council meeting held recently headed by Mayor Vasantha Kumari witnessed strong criticism from councillors across parties, who raised civic concerns and administrative lapses affecting various wards.
Councillors pointed out that several neighbourhoods still lack basic civic upkeep, citing non-functional street lights, irregular garbage collection, and roads filled with potholes inconveniencing residents.
They demanded the removal of encroachments in and around the Tambaram market, and streamlining of traffic arrangements. They also noted that several newly constructed shops inside the Tambaram meat market were not utilised, and urged the Corporation to lease them to support traders and generate revenue.
Members lamented the lack of electricity in the newly inaugurated building at Hastinapuram Corporation Higher Secondary School. Encroachments in Vinobaji Nagar were flagged as well, with councillors seeking immediate action to clear blocked streets.
Questions were also raised over road repair contracts. Councillors alleged that contractors awarded tenders worth several lakhs carry out shoddy patchwork and that officials fail to monitor the work. They suggested awarding both road-laying and maintenance responsibilities to the same contractor to ensure accountability.
Councillors from Semmanchery Zone, Ward 3, said, “No committee meetings have been held for over a year, affecting developmental activities. A broken garbage collection vehicle in Krishna Nagar has not been repaired for months, resulting in sanitation issues due to accumulated waste.”
AIADMK councillors accused the administration of sidelining all 10 AIADMK-represented wards for more than three years and claimed that officials do not respond to petitions or calls. They also questioned the delay in the Rs 750 crore underground drainage expansion project announced in the Assembly for newly included areas such as Chitlapakkam, noting that even a single order has been issued for more than a year after the announcement.
Despite repeated queries from members, the Mayor and Corporation officials did not provide clear responses, and the meeting concluded without a resolution, leaving councillors dissatisfied.