City: Chennai

Ever since the contentious Mamallan reservoir was proposed in the ecosensitive Kovalam–Nemmeli backwater system, fisher communities in Chennai have repeatedly asked: Does it have to be here? Experts and scientists say no, urging the government to abandon the project and work on sustainable alternatives.  Critics point to a long list of costs: high expenditure, land acquisition, and risks to livelihoods and biodiversity. As we have reported earlier, the central concern driving the project is the looming drinking water supply crisis – demand is projected to rise from 1,100 million litres a day (MLD) to over 2,500 MLD for the Greater…

Mohana S recalls how Kanima Nagar in Periya Nemmeli, Chengalpattu, was bountiful just 20 years ago, filled with trees, paddy crops, and rabbits. Picking brackish‑water prawns from the Great Salt Lake, a five‑minute walk away, provided income for her hamlet of about 36 Irular families. Today, this area, around 40 km from Chennai, has become dry land with weeds, prone to floods every northeastern monsoon. Residents report a drop in catch and link the changing landscape to urbanisation in Chennai, groundwater depletion, flooding, and erosion along the Kovalam coast. “When it rains, we in Kanima Nagar suffer in the floods.…

Across cities, official Air Quality Index (AQI) readings often overlook local hotspots. Chennai has eight Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) that function 24/7 throughout the year. But this isn’t enough to map particulate matter. Air changes every few metres, as researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras tell us. Seasonal variation, construction, vehicular movement, and proximity to industries also change the air we breathe, In 2022, over 17 lakh people died in India due to air pollution (PM 2.5), according to a Lancet study. With better hyper-local air data and public awareness, citizens and policymakers can target pollution…

For the average Chennaiite, the daily commute has become an arduous task of navigating peak-hour congestion, poor footpaths and an unreliable public transport system. Ahead of the Assembly elections on April 23rd, the gap between official promises and the reality on the road continues to widen. Here is what the numbers say: Currently, the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) operates a fleet of 4,110 buses and launched 120 low-floor electric buses in 2025. However, experts say the city actually needs 7,000 buses for comfortable travel and better last-mile connectivity. Residents flag overcrowding and long wait times, which force many commuters, especially in…

Table of contentsPolitical RepresentationCandidates for 2026 pollsTop candidates2021 Polling SnapshotPrevious Results 2021Previous Results 2016Incumbent MLA:  R.D ShekarMLA profileCriminal records:MLA in the mediaKey citizen demandsAlso read Perambur is constituency number 12 in Chennai, located in the northern part of the city, and falls under the Chennai North Lok Sabha constituency. One of the largest railway coach manufacturing facilities in Asia, the Integral Coach Factory (ICF), is located in Perambur. It was established in 1955, employing thousands of workers and engineers. Key areas include the ICF colony, Perambur Barracks Road, Peravallur, Kosapet, and Kannigapuram. As per the 2011 census, the constituency has…

Table of contents Political Representation Candidates for 2026 polls Top candidates Previous Results: 2021 Previous Results: 2016 Also read: Ambattur was once a quiet municipality with abundant agricultural land; nowhere near the bustling industrial hub it has now become. In 2011, the neighbourhood was integrated into the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC). Located in the northwestern part of Chennai, the Ambattur Assembly constituency is a fully urban mix of industrial, residential and commercial areas. Ambattur Industrial Estate, established in the 1960s, houses over 2,000 industrial units in the manufacturing and service sectors, while Ambit Park has become a hub for IT…

Table of contentsPolitical RepresentationCandidates for 2026 PollsTop candidates2021 Polling snapshotPrevious Results: 2021Previous Results: 2016Incumbent MLA: MK MohanMLA profileKey citizen demandsAlso read Located in the north-western part of Chennai, Anna Nagar was named after former Chief Minister CN Annadurai. Formerly known as Naduvakkarai, the residential was developed by the Tamil Nadu Housing Board in the 1970s. Characterised by a grid-layout of seven major avenues, this area boasts wide roads and designated green spaces.  Populated by the majorly upper-middle class, this constituency contains planned neighbourhoods. It also has three major metro stations, and is proximal to Koyambedu and CMBT bus stations. As…

Table of contents Political Representation Candidates for 2026 polls Top candidates Previous Results: 2021 Previous Results: 2016 Also read: Located in South Chennai, the Velachery Assembly constituency encompasses both old, planned residential localities and congested areas. It is home to major IT hubs and some of the city’s premium educational institutions, including the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras and Anna University. The constituency's demographic includes a mix of middle-class and upper middle-class residents, along with a sizeable migrant population. The constituency includes the localities of Adyar, Besant Nagar, Thiruvanmiyur, Tharamani, Velachery and parts of Adambakkam.  Despite being well-connected to other parts…

Table of contentsPolitical representationCandidates for 2026 polls2021 Polling snapshotPrevious results: 2021Previous results: 2016Incumbent MLA: J. KarunanithiMLA profileMLA in the mediaKey Citizen DemandsAlso read: T Nagar is the commercial heart of Chennai, famously recognized as South India’s premier shopping hub and a high-profile constituency that generates massive retail revenue, particularly in silk and gold. Located in central-south Chennai, it encompasses prominent localities like West Mambalam, Pondy Bazaar, Kodambakkam, and Ashok Nagar, serving as a bridge between the city’s residential charm and its intense commercial activity. While the area is home to a diverse demographic ranging from traditional middle-class families to wealthy…

Saidapet, one of Chennai’s most historic and politically significant constituencies, enters the 2026 elections with a mix of legacy importance and persistent civic frustration. Once represented by leaders like M Karunanidhi, the constituency today reflects the pressures of dense urban living—ranging from river-adjacent flooding risks to infrastructure strain. Saidapet Assembly Constituency is part of the Chennai South parliamentary seat. It includes key areas such as Guindy, Kotturpuram, Nandanam, and Jafferkhanpet. Map showing the Saidapet Assembly constituency. Pic courtesy: OpenCity.in. Political Representation Saidapet is a general constituency. Candidates for 2026 polls After the SIR, Saidapet has over 2 lakh voters. Around…