NEYVELI

Neyveli constituency in Cuddalore district saw significant infrastructure development between 2021-2026 under MLA Saba Rajendran (DMK), who won in 2021 with a narrow margin of 977 votes. Major projects included the ₹17,930 crore Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway passing through Neyveli (expected completion August 2025), upgrades to 10,000 km of rural roads under the Chief Minister's Rural Road Development Programme (₹4,000 crore), and Tamil Nadu's ₹20,000 crore boost for four-laning 963 km of National Highways. Industrial growth was substantial, with Vietnamese EV manufacturer VinFast inaugurating a $2 billion manufacturing plant near Neyveli, and Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) implementing a ₹5,907.11 crore New Thermal Power Project (2x500 MW), alongside 51 MW wind and 130 MW solar projects. The constituency achieved 82% rural tap water connections under Jal Jeevan Mission, and benefited from state schemes like the Kalaignarin Kanavu Illam housing scheme (₹7,000 crore sanctioned for 2 lakh houses by 2030) and the Chief Minister's Breakfast Scheme extended to class eight. However, the constituency faced persistent challenges. Land disputes between Neyveli Lignite Corporation and local farmers led to protests, particularly over land acquisition exercises affecting standing crops. While specific civic issues like flooding, garbage management, and water scarcity in Neyveli were not extensively documented for this period, these remain common regional challenges. The MLA Constituency Development Scheme allocated ₹702 crore annually (2021-2024) for over 34,000 works, of which 26,000 were completed, indicating some implementation gaps. Healthcare infrastructure improved with SNS Hospital in Neyveli-Vadakuthu providing 24/7 multi-specialty care, and 805 Mobile Health Teams deployed statewide under National Health Mission. Data on specific controversies, unfulfilled promises, and public grievances directly involving MLA Saba Rajendran is notably limited in available records. The lack of documented information about local issues, MLA performance, and community feedback makes comprehensive assessment challenging. Voters should consider the substantial infrastructure and industrial investments against the narrow 2021 victory margin, ongoing land dispute tensions, and the limited transparency in addressing local grievances. The constituency's transformation appears focused on large-scale industrial and infrastructure development, but whether this translates to improved daily life for ordinary residents requires closer scrutiny of ground realities beyond headline projects.