[Uhmavano]

Madipakkam, which once had potential of becoming a residential area of choice, is slowly loosing its charm.
Real estate prices are skyrocketing in the suburb, which was recently merged with the city corporation, but the area lacks hygiene and adequate infrastructure. Unchecked encroachments have also shrunk the Madipakkam lake.

“Lack of planning and urbanisation has made several suburbs a concrete jungle and Madipakkam is a classic example,” said R.Govindaraj, the joint general secretary, Exnora International.

Several catchment areas of Madipakkam and nearby Kilkattalai were converted into residential colonies, affecting the topography of the region.

Madipakkam, once had large open spaces but this has been lost after the real-estate boom. The area now needs more parks and playgrounds, said Govindaraj.

R. Loganathan, a resident of the area, said that the civic body's failure to handle sewage and solid waste has adversely affected the ecology of Madipakkam. With the area being added to the city corporation there should have been more sustainable development and more treatment plants should have been set up at the earliest, he said.
Local Chennai corporation councillor T. Uma said that garbage collection has improved after the recent city expansion. There is no backlog in solid waste as the garbage is now diverted to the nearby Perungudi dumpyard.

Besides, representations have been made at the city corporation council insisting establishment of underground drainage system in Madipakkam, she said, adding that the corporation had sanctioned cement roads for 31 interior roads at an estimate of Rs.2.5 crore.

Local legislator K.P.Kandan said municipal and water supply officials are now assessing drainage lines for Madipakkam area.

-dc chn