Tue Jan 07 01:03:21 IST 2025: ## Chennai’s South Side Faces Playground Shortage Amidst Development Projects
**Chennai, January 7, 2025** – Residents in southern Chennai are raising concerns over a critical shortage of playgrounds and recreational spaces for children, claiming the area is being neglected compared to other parts of the city. Social activist Santhanam highlights the absence of proper sporting facilities in areas like Pallavaram, Chromepet, and Pammal, stating that children are forced to play on streets, hindering their development and potential for professional sports.
Residents cite the loss of open spaces due to encroaching development and increased vehicle parking. One Chromepet resident lamented the disappearance of a local lake and a playground near a former chrome factory, with no replacements provided. Similarly, a football ground in Kottur, used by footballers and silambam practitioners for years, has been repurposed for pathways and other development projects by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA), despite the existence of nearby parks. CMDA officials have not yet commented on this matter.
While the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) plans a new stadium in Tambaram, local bodies are responsible for developing smaller playgrounds and parks. The Greater Chennai Corporation claims to be developing several facilities in the southern zones, including playfields for various sports in areas like Kannagi Nagar and Ezhil Nagar. However, residents argue that these initiatives are insufficient to address the widespread lack of recreational spaces in the area. The situation highlights the conflict between urban development and the need for adequate recreational facilities for children in Chennai’s rapidly changing landscape.
First Piper 