more-in Ward 196, consisting of Injambakkam, Vettuvankeni and parts of Akkarai, has transformed from a group of fishing hamlets to posh bungalows and resorts. The ward, which comes under Sholinganallur Zone, was once managed by the Injambakkam panchayat but was merged with the Chennai Corporation five years ago. The benefit of merging with the Corporation could be seen in the form of gleaming roads in most of the residential layouts in the division. When it comes to civic infrastructure, the residents in the locality have few things to grumble except traffic congestion. With the ECR running through these villages, traffic congestion, particularly during weekends, becomes uncontrollable, resulting in traffic jams. M. Rajeswari, a resident of Gowri Amman Kovil Street, said traffic congestion was one of the serious issues where the residents were finding it difficult to cross the roads safely because of speeding traffic at any point of time. While traffic congestion on ECR has been a persistent problem for several years, the residents are also upset by poor distribution of essential articles in ration shops and maintenance of street lights. The residents also highlighted the need for a good playground, as this division is one of the biggest in the zone. Women in the locality want the ration shop to be bifurcated and located on the west side of ECR, which has a huge rural population. The residents in the locality thank Metrowater for constructing an overhead tank to ease drinking water scarcity. “The lack of drainage system is causing problems as waste water is being let out in the open stromwater drains,” said R. Amarnath, a resident of Pothigai Street in Injambakkam. He also pointed out that street lights were poorly maintained and do not function on several streets. The residents also questioned the necessity of the civic body to black-top private roads where the public are not allowed. A senior official of the Chennai Corporation said since these villages were taken into the fold, several new roads have been paved and new street lights installed.

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