T.N. Assembly election: Virugambakkam fast-developing locality that reels under multiple civic issues
Virugambakkam and its surrounding areas are among the fast-developing neighbourhoods in Chennai. It is home to several residential localities, besides one of Asia’s largest perishable goods markets — the Koyambedu Wholesale Market Complex — and Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G.R. Bus Terminus, formerly Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus (CMBT).
The constituency comprises several densely populated residential localities, including K.K. Nagar, parts of Ashok Nagar and Vadapalani, Saligramam, Kannabiran Nagar, Virugambakkam, Jafferkhanpet, Koyambedu, and Annai Sathya Nagar.
S. Arumainathan, president of the Virugambakkam Residents Welfare Association, said there are no government hospitals in this densely populated residential area that function round-the-clock. The locality is home to people from diverse socio-economic backgrounds, particularly daily wage labourers, he said.
Healthcare woes
The health centre in Virugambakkam operates only until 3 p.m. While it provides facilities for prenatal and postnatal care, residents have been demanding the establishment of a labour ward. At present, they are forced to go to Kodambakkam or Kilpauk for deliveries, he said, and demanded that the health centre be upgraded to a government hospital with improved facilities.
Residents also demand that pattas be issued to people living on government poramboke land in areas such as Bharathiyar Nagar, Kulasekarapuram, Pachaiamman Nagar, and Gandhi Nagar.
They also flagged the problem of blockages in underground sewer pipelines running from Arcot Road to the Koyambedu treatment plant, which often leads to overflow in several places.
To address this, residents demand three mini pumping stations within this network. They also sought the construction of public libraries. and a foot overbridge with escalator facilities near the northern end of the Koyambedu flyover to help school students and elderly persons cross the road safely. Commuters have also raised concerns about the poor condition of Kaliamman Koil Street, which connects Jawaharlal Nehru Road (100-feet road) with Arcot Road.
For traders in the Koyambedu Wholesale Market Complex, the supply of piped drinking water to shops remains a concern.
According to S. Chandran, president of the Koyambedu Wholesale Market Licensed Merchants’ Association, piped drinking water supply has been a demand of merchants for close to two decades. There is no such provision for more than 3,000 shops in the market complex that sell fruits, flowers, and vegetables. There are no common provisions for drinking water either, he said.
As buses plying from CMBT to other parts of the State have significantly reduced following the opening of Kalaignar Centenary Bus Terminus (KCBT) at Kilambakkam, Mr. Arumainathan demanded that this bus complex be converted to integrated educational complex for women with arts and science and polytechnic colleges with hostel facilities.
Another densely populated area that falls under the Virugambakkam Assembly segment is K.K. Nagar. According to K.S. Rajendran, president of the K.K. Nagar Residents Welfare Association, encroachments on footpaths have emerged as a major concern, with eateries mushrooming along residential stretches such as Ramasamy Street, Lakshmanasamy Salai, and Ponnambalam Salai. This situation leaves little space for pedestrians to walk safely, he said.
“The problem is particularly serious as nearly 10 schools function in the neighbourhood, and children are unable to walk to school comfortably due to blocked walkways,” said K. Elangoo, a resident and legal advisor of the association.
He also said Anna Main Road, Azhagirisamy Salai, and Kamarajar Salai, are school zones and children are forced to walk on the roads due to encroachments by vehicles used for construction purposes. Even after approaching the court and obtaining orders for the removal of encroachments, these were not cleared, and K.K. Nagar is being used as a parking bay, he said.
Further, residents demand that parks be well maintained. Citing the example of a park at Sector 11, Mr. Rajendran said gym and play equipment in some parks suffer from rusting and demanded proper maintenance. Residents also point out that K.K. Nagar, a flood-prone area, has seen some improvement following flood mitigation measures, but they feel more needs to be done to avoid water stagnation during heavy rain.
Electoral past
This constituency was formed post-delimitation in 2008. Since then, the DMDK won in 2011, the AIADMK won in 2016, and the DMK in 2021. With the DMK announcing incumbent MLA A.M.V. Prabhakara Raja and the AIADMK fielding former MLA Virugai V.N. Ravi, the contest here is closely watched.
This constituency also witnessed nearly a 31% reduction in its electorate following the Special Intensive Revision of electoral roll exercise.
Published – March 30, 2026 05:00 am IST
