POONAMALLEE (Reserved)

Poonamallee (SC) constituency in Tamil Nadu, represented by MLA Krishnaswamy A of the DMK since 2021, has witnessed mixed development over the past five years. Several state-wide infrastructure initiatives were implemented in the area, including sanction of Rs. 10 crore for the Chennai Peripheral Ring Road DPR, plans for a Rs. 500 crore modern film city on 140 acres, and the potential transformation of Mount-Poonamallee Road into a second IT highway with multiple IT parks. State government schemes covering healthcare, education, housing (including PMAY-U), electricity, and employment (MGNREGA) were rolled out across the constituency. However, the constituency has struggled with persistent civic issues that have significantly affected residents' quality of life. Critical challenges include severe monsoon flooding due to weak drainage systems, drinking water shortages requiring dependence on tanker supplies, inadequate solid waste management, and extreme traffic congestion at major junctions. These infrastructure gaps appear more pronounced given the area's rapid urbanization. The period was also marked by broader controversies, including corruption allegations against the DMK government by opposition parties, with BJP leaders citing cases involving TASMAC and other departments. Land acquisition disputes, particularly the Parandur airport project protests, created tensions in the region. Voters should consider both the announced development initiatives and the ground reality of unresolved civic issues—flooding, water scarcity, waste management, and traffic—when evaluating the constituency's progress over these five years.