Chennai: Federation of OMR residents and associations (FOMRRA) is the third civic group to voice their agenda ahead of assembly elections. The federation submitted a comprehensive OMR Manifesto highlighting urgent needs in infrastructure, water management, waste handling, and urban development to leaders of major political parties. The manifesto document was collaboratively compiled by a committee of about 25 contributors from the federation. Representatives met leaders have submitted the document to DMK, AIADMK, and BJP, and have planned to submit it to NTK, TVK, and VCK. Between 2019 and 2024, FOMRRA organised pre-election candidate interactions and said several assurances including the removal of a tollgate, were fulfilled, they said. “We have been engaging with political parties because we believe they can solve grassroots problems in the area. This time we will discuss local issues with them. Our choice of candidate will depend on their responses. We want to elect the right representatives,” said Harsha Koda, co-founder of FOMRRA.
Among the civic issues highlighted in the manifesto were stormwater drain development and flood mitigation measures, including building an integrated stormwater drain network linked to all waterbodies with zero-stagnation targets, and 24/7 piped potable water supply to every household, gated community, and locality along OMR. The manifesto asked for restoration of natural canal flow paths and desilting schedules for public tracking. Residents also demand a multi-speciality govt hospital on OMR with a dedicated trauma centre, and fire and rescue stations at Thazhambur, Perumbakkam, and Thoraipakkam. “Political parties should focus less on freebies and invest on civic projects that ensure basic amenities such as sewage and drinking water connections. We want clear completion timelines for projects announced in the manifestos,” said P Vishnukumar, a resident of OMR.
