Mylapore resident protests concrete laying and tree cutting at Nageswara Rao Park

A local resident of Luz Avenue has raised serious concerns over the ongoing redevelopment work at Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore, Chennai, which has led to the cutting of several trees and extensive concrete laying. Supraja Srinivasan, whose house overlooks the park, has been protesting the project, warning that the heavy use of concrete could disrupt the park's environmental balance and cause waterlogging in the surrounding area.

Srinivasan reported hearing trees being cut down at the park until last month. When she confronted the site contractor about the tree cutting, she was directed to speak with the executive engineer of the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC). Since then, the focus of her concern has shifted to the pouring of concrete on the park grounds.

The ongoing redevelopment project, commissioned during the previous government regime, includes the construction of a play area, a fountain, a gazebo, and food kiosks. Srinivasan argues that the extensive concreting is alarming and threatens the park's natural ability to absorb rainwater. According to her, Luz Avenue rarely experiences flooding during heavy rains because the park acts as a natural sink, a function that could be compromised by the new concrete structures.

Additionally, Srinivasan noted that at least one tree fell after a trench was dug, as it could no longer hold its weight. Her request to transplant the tree was not fulfilled. She has since written to the non-governmental organization Nizhal regarding the issue.

To halt the environmental degradation of the green space, Srinivasan has written to various authorities, including the Mylapore MLA and the Chief Minister, requesting a fresh review of the redevelopment plan. She also filed a complaint on the GCC’s grievance portal, but she states that the complaint was either removed or cancelled without any explanation.

Although she is a member of the Luz Avenue West Residents Association's WhatsApp group, Srinivasan was unaware of any public consultation meetings held before the project commenced. She is now urging other local residents to collectively lobby the MLA to address these concerns, noting that the project has already missed its deadline.

Srinivasan, a working professional who composts waste at home and travels to T Nagar to dispose of recyclable materials at the Wasted 360 office, wants the authorities to guarantee that the area will not face waterlogging and to promise that the park's lost greenery will be restored.