Chennai: Residents of Thiru Vi Ka Nagar constituency have put forth a detailed citizens’ manifesto flagging long-pending civic issues plaguing the area. With less than a week left for election day, the charter was prepared by Perambur neighbourhood development forum. It highlights the issues in the constituency, comprising areas such as Perambur, Vyasarpadi and Pulianthope. The association handed over the manifesto to AIADMK candidate Porkodi and plans to submit it to the remaining candidates as well.“The major concerns include poor-quality roads that develop potholes within months, often re-laid without complying with proper engineering standards. Roads are dug up repeatedly for pipelines and cables, but patchwork repairs leave stretches uneven and prone to flooding,” said C Raghukumar, convenor of the forum. “Pedestrian safety has emerged as another major issue, with footpaths across several neighbourhoods either broken or encroached upon by parked vehicles, pushing people, including the elderly and children, onto busy roads,” he added.Similarly, garbage mismanagement continues to plague the constituency, with residents complaining of overflowing bins, delayed collection by the local body and waste piling up on streets, particularly during sanitation disruptions. “The situation is compounded by frequent sewage overflows and clogged drains, raising concerns over public health and mosquito breeding. In many dense settlements, inadequate sanitation infrastructure adds to the distress, with hundreds of households relying on poorly maintained community toilets,” said T E Goverdhan, co-convenor of the association. The manifesto pointed out that traffic chaos and illegal parking have further narrowed already congested streets, while incomplete CCTV installations have left gaps in public safety. Beyond listing problems, the manifesto calls for systemic reforms, from transparent disclosure of public works and contractor details to the creation of ward-level citizen committees and quarterly public review meetings.
