For M. Jayanthi, fetching drinking water is a daily struggle. Without piped water near her home in Thirumullaivoyal, she walks nearly a kilometer to a pipeline behind a graveyard. “It’s very hard during the hot days,” she says.
The Avadi Assembly constituency in Tiruvallur district includes areas like Avadi, Pattabiram, and Thiruninravur, home to industrial workers, defense personnel, and a growing middle class. Once anchored by defense and industry, the area is now a key suburban commuter hub with expanding neighborhoods.
Recent road improvements have boosted commuting in some areas, while public spaces like Paruthipattu Lake, now renovated, are popular. However, basic amenities remain lacking. In Thirumullaivoyal, residents still rely on distant water sources. E. Vijaya, living there for four decades, says her home has no piped connection and worries about dwindling groundwater.
Residents also note uneven infrastructure development. While main roads have improved, inner streets remain poor or are already deteriorating. Solid waste management is another issue; garbage collection is irregular, leading to waste buildup and more stray dogs.
The redevelopment of Avadi bus terminus by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority has caused temporary discomfort. Passengers at the temporary facility face basic amenities shortages, while bus frequency to key destinations has dropped, forcing longer waits.
In Pattabiram, Rekha, who built her home 15 years ago, says her area’s sewer pipelines were laid but never connected. Many households rely on septic tanks and private water tankers. “Why is the system taking so long?” she asks. S. Thulasingam, a local councillor, assures that underground drainage works are ongoing in phases.