Measures diluted can be worse than measures never taken. There is a likelihood of the latter being pursued sometime in the future; but the former would get locked up prematurely in an attache case for finished businesses. A thread left hanging may never be picked up again; but the possibility of a new thread emerging is always higher. That encapsulates the overarching concern of the Federation of Anna Nagar Residents’ Associations (FOARA). Sandhya Vedullapalli, secretary of FOARA, which represents 25 residents’ welfare associations across Anna Nagar and Anna Nagar East, wants the one elected to the Anna Nagar Assembly Constituency to attend to unfinished business immediately after assuming office. She observes that FOARA’s wish list is there for all the candidates in the fray to study; the Federation plans to meet up with the one who gets elected and have a discussion about problems that remain unresolved.

Otteri Nullah: continuous monitoring needed

Sandhya notes that Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has done significant flood mitigation work at the Otteri Nullah, even factoring in FOARA’s inputs from time to time. This initiative has indeed reduced flooding risks in Anna Nagar. However, continued monitoring and maintenance are required. Effluents entering the Otteri Nullah are causing toxic air conditions, resulting in damage to household electrical appliances, the classic example being AC units needing replacement every two years, she elaborates.

“Free up space for pedestrians”

When Anna Nagar emerged as a planned locality in the 1960s, sitting on top of its standout attributes was “wide roads and comfortable pedestrian spaces” . The young that settled down in the Anna Nagar of the 1960s are not obviously spring chicken anymore. Right now, when these ageing residents need those helpful walking spaces the most, they have been rudely robbed of them.

FOARA wants Anna Nagar to be restored to its pristine glory; pedestrian space restored to pedestrians. “Anna Nagar has a pronounced ageing population; 80 percent of the residents are senior citizens, and they cannot expect to go for a walk safely down the pavements on Anna Nagar roads,” says Sandhya. “Unauthorised eateries operating on roads and pavements are a big no-no. Streets are being taken over by vendors. Our position is clear: either enforce strict “No Vending Zones” or create designated vending zones where all vendors can operate in an organised manner. Currently, no properly designated vending zones exist, despite earlier proposals which were abandoned midway.”

Sandhya hastens to point out that the main issue is peak-hour roadside vending post 5 p.m., which hampers mobility. Late-night food vans that arrive after 9 p.m. are not a major concern. 

Parking policy failure: a hope dashed

A classic, textbook example of a half measure, an unfinished business is the parking policy framing for the streets of Anna Nagar. The effort started with much fanfare. A comprehensive parking plan proposed by CUMTA raised residents’ hopes, says Sandhya, and they were disappointed to see it being diluted, the baton being passed to Greater Chennai Corporation. What residents are now left with: zero clarity and no visible sign of progress. This reflects a broader pattern: policies are announced but weakened or abandoned during implementation, she adds.

Metro advantage ‘diluted’: last-mile connectivity sought

Sandhya calls Metro rail a boon to the commuting population. She is a diehard fan of the Metro, making use of it to head to the Alandur court, as she is an advocate. The section is served by Anna Nagar East Metro, Anna Nagar Tower Metro and Thirumangalam Metro, but due to lack of last-mile connectivity, patronage of Metro Rail among residents of this region is dipping, she says, adding that residents obviously do not relish having to depend on autos to cover the home stretch.