HARBOUR

The Harbour constituency in Tamil Nadu, represented by DMK MLA P.K. Sekar Babu since his 2021 election victory with 58.88% of votes, has witnessed significant development initiatives between 2021 and 2026. Major infrastructure projects include the Cooum River Bridge at Chinna Nolambur (₹38.62 crore released across 2023-2024), flyovers at Ganeshapuram and South Usman Road (₹90 crore sanctioned in 2023), and water supply improvements to Perumbakkam and Semmencheri (₹8.16 crore approved in 2024). The constituency benefited from broader Chennai initiatives including affordable housing under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (₹50,000 crore for 177 projects in 2024), school infrastructure upgrades under Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, and Smart City projects. Minister Sekar Babu also oversaw Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments department work, including controversial land reclamation actions. However, persistent civic problems have frustrated residents throughout this period. Chronic flooding and inadequate drainage during monsoons, poor garbage disposal, irregular water supply, traffic congestion, and encroachments remain unresolved. Opposition parties have alleged corruption in contract awards and favoritism in public works, though no formal criminal cases against the MLA have been documented. Residents have staged protests over unfulfilled promises regarding improved infrastructure and public services, with many feeling that campaign pledges remain inadequately addressed. These grievances center on delayed or abandoned projects and poor service delivery by local bodies. The political landscape shifted significantly with the DMK's 2021 statewide victory (159 of 234 seats) ending AIADMK's decade-long rule. Between 2021-2026, several AIADMK members defected to DMK, including O. Panneerselvam who joined in February 2026. The emergence of actor Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam in 2024 added a new dimension to Tamil Nadu politics, though a tragic crowd crush at their Karur rally in September 2025 killed 41 people and injured over 100. As voters approach the April 23, 2026 elections, they must weigh substantial infrastructure investments and statewide job creation (31 lakh jobs reported between 2021-2023) against persistent local civic failures, governance concerns, and the gap between developmental promises and ground-level service delivery.