T.N. Assembly election: Egmore constituency residents weigh infrastructure upgrades against many long-standing civic problems

From heritage precincts to bustling residential pockets and commercial activity, Egmore, located in the heart of Chennai is one of the city’s oldest and politically watched constituencies.

Comprising neighbourhoods such as Purasawalkam, Choolai, Egmore, Vepery, Periamet and parts of Chetpet, the constituency has a diverse electorate, including affluent pockets, middle-class families, traders and daily wage workers.

It is home to key landmarks and heritage structures - Government Museum, Egmore Railway Station, and Ripon Buildings.

At the crossroads of historic identity and modern urban pressures, Egmore mirrors the evolving urban character of Chennai. A reserved constituency considered an important urban seat; it has a strong working class and minority base.

It has historically leaned towards the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) with the party winning the seat multiple times since 1957. Voters elected DMK’s Parithi Ilamvazhuthi for five consecutive terms from 1989. Sitting MLA I. Paranthamen polled nearly 58% of the votes during previous Assembly election but has not been given a seat this time.

First-time contenders

The contest this election is between first-time contenders - Tamilan Prasanna (DMK), Abhishek Rangasamy (AIADMK), A.Rajmohan (TVK) and Saranya (NTK).

Even as the densely populated constituency has witnessed various infrastructure upgrades in terms of better housing, water supply, Metro Rail connectivity, parks and playgrounds, conversations on civic challenges, job opportunities, traffic congestion, issuance of pattas are increasingly shaping voter sentiment ahead of the polls.

Purasawalkam, one of Chennai’s oldest shopping hubs, is preparing for Metro Rail connectivity, though ongoing work has added to congestion and disrupted MTC bus access to some pockets. Walking along Purasawalkam High Road is tough, with pedestrians forced to vie for space with vehicles and encroachments.

Nasir Mohammed, president, Purasawalkam Traders Association, said street vending must be regulated in Purasawalkam High Road and Tana Street. While waterlogging has reduced, sewage issues persist in streets like Clemens Road, Ponnappa Mudali Street.

The neighbouring Vepery and Doveton still have a sizeable Anglo-Indian population. Marlon Brewart, President, All India Anglo-Indian Association, Vepery branch, noted that the removal of the Anglo-Indian representation in the State Assembly has been a setback. “We want the new government to allocate one seat in government colleges for professional courses along with land for a community centre,” he said.

Travelling along arterial stretches of Demellows Road - Sydenhams Road and Choolai High Road is a harrowing experience for motorists who have to inch through traffic owing to the ongoing SWD work. J.Parthiban of Choolai said traffic congestion remains a major concern in key roads, including Sydenhams Road. SWD infrastructure is still insufficient in the area, with middle class residential pockets, a sizeable Marwadi community and timber depots.

Development of additional housing tenements across areas like Thattankulam, Thideer Nagar, and Natesan Nagar along with better amenities for those living in temple lands and issuance of pattas are key demands. One cannot miss the high-rise K.P. Park tenements that stand as a prominent landmark along Demellows Road. But residents point to lapses in construction quality, faulty lifts and call for better maintenance. Better job opportunities for youngsters, modernisation of SWD and sewer network and relaying of damaged roads in Choolai and Periamet also figure among voters’ expectations. Alleging prevalence of drug abuse in parts of Periamet, N.Manohar, a resident, stressed the need for more employment opportunities and sports facilities. Some parts like Subbaiah Street and NH Road still face waterlogging.

The constituency’s electoral base has shrunk by 62,586 following the SIR exercise.

G.Selva, CPI (M)’s Chennai Central district secretary, noted that 864 beneficiaries were allotted houses in K.P. Park without any beneficiary contribution. In 2024, nearly 120 families from Kannapar Thidal were relocated to Moolakothalam tenements, ending their two-decade struggle.

Town Vending Committee in Purasawalkam has helped street vendors, while the proposed construction of housing tenements in Thideer Nagar is awaiting funds. More measures are needed to protect the interests of working-class residents and those living in temple lands in Purasawalkam and Choolai.

While TVK, the new party, has generated curiosity among a section of residents, it may not significantly alter the traditional voting pattern, he said.