North Chennai residents seek Metro link, dumpyard closure in master plan

Residents of Perambur constituency in North Chennai have called for a comprehensive master plan that includes a new Metro Rail corridor, permanent closure of the existing waste-to-energy plant, and biomining of the Kodungaiyur dumpyard. The demands were consolidated into a study report presented at a public meeting organised by the Federation of North Chennai Residents’ Welfare Associations on Sunday.

The report, titled Eriyum Manitha Urimaigal (Burning Human Rights), was received by Tamil Nadu Housing Board Chairman V. Siva, who assured action on the proposals. Federation president T.K. Shanmugam said the demands should be converted into a government action plan.

Key transport proposals include a Metro route linking Basin Bridge, Vyasarpadi, Sathyamurthy Nagar, M.K.B. Nagar, Erukkancheri, Moolakadai, and Madhavaram. Residents also sought a constituency-level blueprint for drinking water and sewerage, comprehensive flood mitigation, and road widening to improve transport.

The waste management plan calls for abandoning the proposed 2,100-tonne waste-to-energy plant at Kodungaiyur and permanently shutting the existing 50-tonne facility. It urges completion of biomining at the dumpyard, revival of 168 micro-compost centres and 88 material recovery facilities, and adoption of the federation’s ‘Green Chennai Initiative’ as an alternative.

Other demands include resolving housing and patta issues, setting up primary healthcare centres in every ward, developing sports and green spaces, and creating better employment opportunities. Federation member Senthamizh Pari described the report as evidence-based, highlighting the impact of the dumpyard and the existing plant on local communities.