The residents of Valmiki Nagar have submitted a signed petition to the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) against relocating a longstanding temple and recreation area to create an access gate for a resident of Thiruvalluvar Nagar. Thiruvalluvar Nagar, Sankarakrishnan (21 Seaworld Drive), has requested shifting the temple and recreation space to open Raja Rangaswamy Avenue as his main entry.
The residents highlight that the green space has served the community for over 20 years, featuring a garden, benches, a small temple, and coconut trees, all developed and maintained by residents. It also hosts a TNEB transformer, critical for local power supply. The residents point out that this space poses no obstruction and enhances the neighbourhood.
The building in question already has an access gate on Seaworld Drive, its registered address for essential services (TNEB, property tax etc.). Residents worry that converting Raja Rangaswamy Avenue to an access point could impact the area’s residential zoning, particularly if the property becomes commercial, potentially leading to parking congestion. Additionally, Raja Rangaswamy Avenue and its building are approved under CRZ, while the status of the southern side, is not clear in the publicly available drawings.
They point out that if the gate comes up:
- The temple has to be removed
- The trees have to be cut
- The seats will have to be removed, and there will be no more seating for senior citizens
- There will be no more greenery and no garden – as the plants will be uprooted.
- Road will have to be laid till the end of the wall
- Transformer will need to be moved towards the compound.
Considering all this, the residents appeal to GCC to retain the status quo of the temple and recreation area at the southern end of Raja Rangaswamy Avenue, as desired by a large number of residents of Valmiki Nagar.
For more information email: [email protected].
The peace quiet and old time charm of this place which is valuedhighly by the Valmiki Nagar residents will be lost. Please retain status quo.