Thiruvallam and Vizhinjam: Port,drinking water key issues

The predominant UDF wards of Vizhinjam are likely to favour them again if the Congress propaganda that takes credit for the Vizhinjam port sells.

However, the LDF has already started campaigns raising the concerns of fishermen who believe that the port will fail to provide them employment.

During the summer, the municipal water supply in Vandithadam area was limited to once in eight days.

Local residents say that the corporation failed to provide adequate drinking water in tanker lorries.

However, CPM leaders counter this argument by saying that the water storage tanks to address the problem had almost been completed in Poonkulam and Punchakkari wards ruled by the CPM whereas no work has started in the UDF- ruled Vellar and Thiruvallam wards.

A local resident Nibil points out that though waste management issues are not grave in Thiruvallam, lack of maintenance of street light haunts most of the bylanes here.

The BJP which also claims credit for Vizhinjam port project has recently taken up issues like disposing of culled dogs near the temple at Thiruvallam zone to woo the majority votes.

As per A.J. Sukarno, councillor of Punchakkari ward, the LDF has already stated meeting in Vizhinjam zone to convince the people of the hollowness of Vizhinjam project.

"The port may benefit the city in general but not the local people and fisherman. The nature of Vizhinjam port will ensure that workers will be brought from out of the state via sea," Sukarno claimed.