Tamil Nadu Assembly election: Royapuram, a coastal area where livelihood security and affordable housing are major issues

While Chennai District Election Officials closed down some posts at Robinson Park in Royapuram, where the DMK was founded in 1949, local resident A. Putli, 50, was busy selling buttermilk and aloe vera to earn his living.

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He said livelihood security is an important problem here. He has been consistent in his commitment to a particular political ideology ever since he learned that his father named him after Mahatma Gandhi’s mother. But what matters most to poor residents like him in the Royapuram Assembly constituency, where a significant number of voters belong to the socially weaker sections of society, is the government’s social welfare measures.

“I received ₹1,000 under the law Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thittam. I benefit from the free bus program, Vidiyal Payanam. But I am thinking of giving my vote to the candidate who will solve the housing problem in our region. A significant number of voters in this constituency have to work hard every day to make ends meet. Our decision to vote will depend on social welfare programs that protect our dignity,” Ms. Putli said.

While many residents like him in his constituency want dignified, affordable housing for the poor, some also want free house space patta. Many voters also demanded that the government rebuild the dilapidated houses of the Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board (TNUHDB) to prevent them from collapsing, especially in coastal areas where corrosion is a major problem in reinforced concrete structures.

K. Sulakshana, a senior citizen living on the coastline of his constituency, said 64 TNUHDB houses were dilapidated and had not been reconstructed. S. Prema, who lives around the old Corporation Maternity Hospital in ward 50, said: “We request the government to establish a modern maternity hospital in our area. Women in our area used to visit the old maternity hospital near Anathai Kuppam. Now it has been renovated and converted into a clinic. We have to visit RSRM Hospital for obstetric services.”

On Tuesday, N. Murugan, a laborer operating a jet rodding machine near Anathai Kuppam, said many residents in the area were complaining about sewer blockages in their homes and requested the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) to clear the blockages in the sewer network.

A. Prabhakaran, a resident of the area, said that floods in the constituency increased after the construction of Metro Rail near Maharani Theatre. “Port Trust increased the ground elevation. This caused floods in the surrounding area. We requested work to improve the pumping infrastructure. The flood level in 2023 was 3 ft. There was no flood last year. However, the risk continues,” he said.

Another resident, G. Shankar, said some residents were in need. patta I had to get permission from the Port Trust. Residents said MLAs should improve coordination with various government agencies, including Port Trust, Railways and local bodies, to resolve civic issues.

Former AIADMK Minister D. Jayakumar, who won from Royapuram in 1991, 2001, 2006, 2011 and 2016, said he played a key role in the construction of multi-storey houses and replacement of all cottages in the constituency during his tenure. “DMK government has failed to maintain structures. Voters realized how hard we worked for the constituency only after electing a new MLA in 2021,” he said.

Pointing to AIADMK’s role in preventing pollution from iron ore and coal handling at the port, Mr. Jayakumar said the constituency remained green as people planted 50,000 trees with government support during his tenure.

“The constituency was known as the ‘pink city’ due to the pollution caused by iron ore handling. When coal was handled at the port, our streets turned black. Thanks to our efforts, the constituency was cleaned.”

Congress councilor Suresh Kumar said that work on pumping stations has been completed to resolve civic issues and old drains have been repaired to reduce the danger of floods. “Voters demanded measures to protect the livelihoods of those who rely on fishing,” he added.

S. Ramesh Kumar, 53, a resident of the constituency, said major Dravidian party candidates planning to contest from the constituency are hopeful but people are looking for a new candidate who will be innovative in their approach to solving civic problems. “Voters were outraged when elected representatives tried to belittle the demand for dignified housing for the poor. Party representatives mocked the poor. patta “We may not get support during the election campaign,” he said.

Pointing out that youth leagues of new parties like TVK have been established in many streets of Royapuram constituency, residents said that this is expected to facilitate the division of votes and attract votes from the most popular candidates of the two Dravidian elders.

DMK functionary N. Manogaran, who is president of the Arignar Anna Poonga Marchers Association in Robinson Park, said most of the 3,500 marchers who visited the park discussed the need to provide affordable housing for all eligible residents in the constituency, welfare measures for poor residents, improvement of parks and playgrounds and development of parkland.

“We have provided free parking for 2,000 motorcycles near the park. DMK is committed to providing free home space” potatoes For all eligible residents here. All low-income housing will be redeveloped. Prime Minister MK Stalin’s announcement regarding increased rates Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thittam The amount between ₹1,000 to ₹2,000 is expected to have maximum impact in Royapuram constituency. We want to tell the voters that we will establish a public university in the constituency,” Mr. Manogaran added.

It was published – 25 March 2026 12:42 IST