50 Years on, Madurai folk Await Action

Madurai: The urban local body elections are being held after a decade and all candidates — from veterans who have represented their wards in the council to newcomers — are promising to solve problems that have persisted in Madurai corporation for more than half a century. Though many voters take the promises with a pinch of salt, these assurances still manage to instil hope in them.
For instance, people of 36th ward will be delighted to hear what Congress candidate V Karthikeyan promises. ``I will ensure that you get piped water supply to your homes through individual connections.’’ People of the ward have been facing a severe water crisis after their area, formerly a village, was brought under the corporation and urbanisation led to the Vandiyur tank drying up. AMMK candidate M Sulaiman, AIADMK’s K Kishore Kumar and A Jayakumar (independent), a former councillor, too gave the same assurance. Similar promises are being made by candidates in Annaiyur, Thirupalai, Krishnapuram, Anupanadi, Vilangudi and all extension wards.

Madurai depends more on the Vaigai for water supply, but the river goes bone dry in summer. Non-maintenance of water bodies has led to ground water depleting to dangerous levels of 500 feet and more. The city also lacks a complete UGD system and even the wards that have them have overflowing manholes as in Bethaniapuram, ward number 63. CPM candidate K Ganeshan and others are promising to solve it by ensuring smooth flow of sewage and clearing of garbage regularly. DMK candidates cite the Rs 500 crore allotment for UGD system in the extension areas. .
DMK candidate Rohini Bommathevan has won the hearts of dog lovers by promising steps to ensure that community dogs are looked after. Others however do not talk much about the stray cattle or community dog menace in the city. All candidates are promising better roads by relaying them, but, none are talking about the encroachments hindering traffic on all major roads. Many wards in Madurai lack parks for recreation though the AIADMK government had promised individual park for every ward. Not much importance is being given to this much needed amenity now.