Chennai’s Nageswara Rao Park park-goers pin their hopes on the new Mylapore TVK MLA Venkataramanan P

Chennai: Regular walkers at Nageswara Rao Park at Mylapore are looking to newly elected TVK MLA Venkataramanan P for intervention as its delayed redevelopment draws criticism. They want him to revisit the design, curb ecological damage and ensure the park remains a green space.The four-acre park has been at the centre of concern since redevelopment began last year following stormwater drain work. Residents say the project has altered the character of the park, valued not only for walking, but also as a cultural space that hosts book-reading sessions, performances and gatherings. Their concerns came to the fore after a marble plaque dating back to 1949, bearing the name of P S Kumaraswami Raja, then Premier of Madras, was found discarded among construction debris.Previously maintained by Sundaram Finance, the park is being redeveloped under a 12 crore project that includes a badminton court, fountains and new seating areas. Residents, however, say the space required only minor improvements, rather than a full-scale makeover and fear that extensive paving could reduce its ability to absorb rainwater during floods. "Who asked for the park to be redeveloped? There was no need for it," said Supraja Srinivasan. "All vegetation, except a few large trees, has been destroyed," she said, adding that the new MLA must revisit the design. T D Babu, a district green committee member, said no permission was sought for uprooting the trees. "As MCC was in force, no action was taken either," he said.Assistant engineer Kumaravel, who has been involved in the redevelopment project, said that about 70% of the work has been done. MLA Venkataramanan and chief engineer of parks and playfields, C A Balamurugan, could not be reached.