Concerns are growing among residents and social activists over the poor use of large government hospital campuses located along GST Road in Tambaram and Chromepet.
Many people have pointed out that several government departments in the region still operate from rented buildings because of limited space, while some large public healthcare campuses remain mostly unused.
One such facility is the Government Leprosy Rehabilitation Promotion Unit in Tambaram, which has been functioning for more than 30 years.
The centre serves patients from nearby districts and has a large campus area. However, activists say that the number of inmates staying there is very low.
According to local residents and activists, fewer than 10 people stay at the facility most of the time, although officials claim the number usually ranges between 13 and 15 inmates.
This has raised questions about whether such a large government property is being fully utilized.
Activists believe the campus could be partly repurposed for more urgent public needs such as emergency healthcare services, additional government offices, rehabilitation centres, or community welfare facilities.
Another major concern is the old Government Hospital campus in Chromepet, which has remained mostly vacant since last August.
At present, only a dental college is functioning from the premises.
Officials have said that renovation and redevelopment plans are being discussed for the site.
The proposed plans reportedly include creating an Emergency Care and Recovery Centre for mental health patients, a one-stop support centre for persons with disabilities, and a hostel for paramedical students.
Government officials explained that shifting inmates or changing the use of public properties requires approval from higher authorities and multiple departments.
They added that discussions regarding better utilization of these spaces are currently underway.
Residents say the issue is becoming increasingly important because Tambaram and Chromepet are rapidly growing urban areas with rising demand for healthcare facilities and government infrastructure.
Many people believe that unused public assets should be efficiently developed and used to meet the needs of the growing population.