Tambaram gets first locality specific vision

CHENNAI: During the Carnatic wars in the late 17th century, Tambaram was a mere entrenchment camp for the East India Company. Three centuries later, Tambaram has come a long way in establishing its own identity including having a separate vision document. Threeyears of hardwork and planning by a group of volunteers comprising academicians,social activists, urban planners and elected representatives has borne fruit asthey came up with a vision document for Tambaram the first such exercise for aneighbourhood in the city. Titled "Tharamigu (Quality) Tambaram 2020: PeoplePlan for Development", the document was released on Monday to coincide withWorld Habitat Day."Most of the team members involved in preparingthis blueprint are residents of Tambaram. This makes the document insightful aswe are aware of the growth of Tambaram and the challenges faced by it," said65-year-old P Ganesan, a social activist and the man behind theconcept.The document is divided into several subjects such asenvironment, conservation of water bodies, transport system, traffic management,health and hospitals, solid waste management and the role of the civil societyand youth in making Tambaram a better place to live.It was compiledafter an extensive study and inputs from various stakeholders including electedrepresentatives of the Tambaram municipality, residents, traders, vendors andenvironmentalists.Academicians from the Madras Christian College,Anna University and MIT (Chromepet) and other independent research organisationshave contributed to the document by analysing the data collected. "Till a decadeago, people hesitated to settle in Tambaram. But now it is hard to find a personwho doesn't want to settle here. There is no land available here anymore,"Tambaram municipality chairman E Mani told TOI.Tambaram iswitnessing a growth in recent years that it had never seen in its entirehistory, which dates back to the megalithic age. With a population of nearly twolakh, Tambaram is turning into a satellite town. Better connectivity,availability of basic services including potable water, sanitation,accommodation and hospitals Tambaram an ideal place to settle.According to a family welfare survey conducted among Tambaramresidents by professor R Chandrasekaran, head, department of statistics, MCC, itwas found that 92% of them own ration cards, 93% have access to toiletfacilities and 84% have voter ID cards. "Companies setting up their units in andaround Tambaram, leading to growth of other sectors," said S Sundar, a residentin Tambaram. On their part, state agencies have been executingvarious infrastructure projects including construction of flyovers, subways, acommon underground drainage system and an integrated water supply scheme forTambaram and Pallavaram.However, the downside of such development,according to the vision document, is the unplanned growth of Tambaram. "Theunplanned growth is effecting environment, depleting the water table, eating upopen spaces and causing traffic congestion. This document emphasises the need toconsult residents and welfare organisations in deciding major projects to set upin Tambaram and the need to balance development and natural resources," saidGanesan.madhavan.d@timesgroup.com