DMK and AIADMK Councillors Slam Tambaram Corporation Over Civic Inaction

Councillors representing both the ruling DMK and the opposition AIADMK raised serious allegations of civic inaction against the Tambaram Corporation during a council meeting held in Tambaram on Tuesday.

The meeting was conducted under the leadership of Mayor Vasanthakumari, during which the council passed a total of 344 resolutions. Despite the passage of the resolutions, elected members across party lines voiced strong dissatisfaction, alleging that the civic body had failed to address basic public grievances over the past four-and-a-half years.

Even though the DMK governs the civic body, its councillors joined AIADMK members in criticising the administration's performance. A key issue raised was the rising stray dog menace across residential areas. Members stated that despite repeated official announcements regarding financial allocations for animal birth control and sterilisation, the stray dog population continues to surge daily due to a lack of concrete action on the ground.

Councillors also highlighted drinking water shortages, pointing out that the Corporation collects drinking water tax from residents while failing to provide regular drinking water supply.

Delays in major infrastructure works formed another major point of discussion. Councillors noted that the state government had sanctioned Rs. 750 crore for expanding the underground drainage scheme, but ground-level work is yet to commence. Additionally, members expressed concern over damaged and encroached stormwater drains across the locality, demanding immediate renovation before the onset of the northeast monsoon to prevent severe waterlogging in residential neighbourhoods.

Civic healthcare facilities also came under scrutiny. Councillors noted that the primary health centre located in Ward 51 suffers from an acute shortage of essential medicines and tablets, alongside the frequent absence of medical officers. Due to the lack of diagnostic equipment, patients visiting the facility are regularly directed to private laboratories for basic diagnostic tests, including routine blood work.

Protesting against the civic administration and alleging that no development funds were being allocated for civic works in their respective wards, AIADMK councillors subsequently staged a walkout from the meeting.