Thanks to the slow progress on civic matters, Jeeva Nagar has now perhaps become one of the first town panchayat layouts to have a short movie on Youtube, titles, credits and all. Ironically, the property value is rising all the time. A major transaction has taken place in the layout which indicates that it may witness another apartment block coming up.
Four apartments on the Eastern side are already at an advanced stage of completion. Catch a glimpse of this in the video below, in the first half (the first floor structure with brickwork). Also notice the few houses that are already there.
The Mangadu Town Panchayat has not provided the necessary road infrastructure. The Kattupakkam Panchayat has also not completed its road laying work, leaving costly granite jelly stones exposed to the elements.
See the video here:
As the Mangadu Town Panchayat and the CMDA continue to drag their feet, they will find themselves having a more and more visible -- and unflattering -- presence on the Internet.
Monday, December 24, 2007
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Jeeva Nagar in The Hindu's Property Plus supplement
The Hindu's Property Plus supplement carries a write-up today on the use of the Right to Information Act to get information about Jeeva Nagar.
Read it here.
We will soon be featuring videos of the layout, to give the outside world a sense of what is happening there.
Read it here.
We will soon be featuring videos of the layout, to give the outside world a sense of what is happening there.
Friday, December 21, 2007
Updates for the last several weeks
It has been a while since we updated the blog. In the last few months, work on the single road that the Mangadu Town Panchayat has agreed to lay has begun. Two more houses have been completed and one family has moved in.
The most recent concerns surround the rainwater stagnation that has resulted from the rains. Many plots apparently remain cut-off now, but we believe that this situation will soon change.
One of the big agglomerations of plots is said to have changed hands and we may expect an apartment complex coming up at the site. This is good news, as it will bring more people to the locality and add to social cohesion and safety, besides giving a demand push for services. Already, a small apartment complex is under construction in the layout.
The kutcha road leading to the Poonamallee - Mount road remains a sticking point, as its status is not known. The Mangadu panchayat had conveyed in reply to an RTI petition that it comes under the Kattupakkam panchayat.
Keep writing letters to the editor in major newspapers and demand more civic services.
The most recent concerns surround the rainwater stagnation that has resulted from the rains. Many plots apparently remain cut-off now, but we believe that this situation will soon change.
One of the big agglomerations of plots is said to have changed hands and we may expect an apartment complex coming up at the site. This is good news, as it will bring more people to the locality and add to social cohesion and safety, besides giving a demand push for services. Already, a small apartment complex is under construction in the layout.
The kutcha road leading to the Poonamallee - Mount road remains a sticking point, as its status is not known. The Mangadu panchayat had conveyed in reply to an RTI petition that it comes under the Kattupakkam panchayat.
Keep writing letters to the editor in major newspapers and demand more civic services.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Second Right to Information Act application filed
This blog is happy to report that a second Right to Information Act application has been filed with the Mangadu Town Panchayat, seeking to know what steps have been taken to make the roads in Jeeva Nagar, Mangadu, fit for use year round.
As the residents and property owners of the CMDA-approved layout know, Jeeva Nagar gets cut off during the monsoon and other rainy periods, due to flooding.
This is because the promoter BLB Estates of T.Nagar and the Mangadu Town Panchayat have not done anything to raise the road level to a suitable height. Actually, the layout roads are not level with those in the Badrimedu area adjacent to it.
Read the earlier post to see what the Mangadu Town Panchayat has promised to do, in response to our first application under the RTI Act, 2005.
Despite the issue of nine building licences, including one for an apartment complex, no action has been taken by the Panchayat. It could very well have dumped the debris generated by demolition of encroachments on Kunrathur Main Road to raise the level of roads in Jeeva Nagar. But it failed miserably.
As the residents and property owners of the CMDA-approved layout know, Jeeva Nagar gets cut off during the monsoon and other rainy periods, due to flooding.
This is because the promoter BLB Estates of T.Nagar and the Mangadu Town Panchayat have not done anything to raise the road level to a suitable height. Actually, the layout roads are not level with those in the Badrimedu area adjacent to it.
Read the earlier post to see what the Mangadu Town Panchayat has promised to do, in response to our first application under the RTI Act, 2005.
Despite the issue of nine building licences, including one for an apartment complex, no action has been taken by the Panchayat. It could very well have dumped the debris generated by demolition of encroachments on Kunrathur Main Road to raise the level of roads in Jeeva Nagar. But it failed miserably.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Jeeva Nagar experience with Right to Information (RTI) Act now on Exnora-5th Pillar portal
The experience of using the Right to Information Act, 2005 by Jeeva Nagar is now featured on the website of 5th Pillar, the activist portal of Exnora International.
The link is: Success Stories
The link is: Success Stories
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Jeeva Nagar successful with RTI in getting reply from Mangadu Town Panchayat
The Right to Information Act 2005 is seen as a powerful citizen-empowering tool, to bring about positive action by Government at all levels.
On behalf of the Jeeva Nagar residents, a media person from Central Chennai used the Act and filed a petition to the Executive Officer, Mangadu Town Panchayat seeking information on the road works, open space reservation and street lighting, among other aspects, in the Nagar.
After one full month, the Panchayat has responded with a reply. You can read it here
Also see latest pictures from the layout here.
If you know someone who owns property in Jeeva Nagar, please pass on this information and ask him to mail the association at jeevanagar@gmail.com
On behalf of the Jeeva Nagar residents, a media person from Central Chennai used the Act and filed a petition to the Executive Officer, Mangadu Town Panchayat seeking information on the road works, open space reservation and street lighting, among other aspects, in the Nagar.
If you know someone who owns property in Jeeva Nagar, please pass on this information and ask him to mail the association at jeevanagar@gmail.com
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Mangadu Town Panchayat asked to explain under RTI
This blog is happy to report that the Mangadu Town Panchayat has been asked under the Right to Information Act, 2005, to explain the steps taken to provide roads and civic amenities in Jeeva Nagar.
The RTI application was sent on July 3, 2007. This means the Executive Officer of the Panchayat, who is the Public Information Officer under the Act, has one month to explain the situation.
We will update the blog with the progress in the matter.
The RTI application was sent on July 3, 2007. This means the Executive Officer of the Panchayat, who is the Public Information Officer under the Act, has one month to explain the situation.
We will update the blog with the progress in the matter.
An unusual occurrence
This blog has heard that three vehicles appearing to be from the Police came to Jeeva Nagar on the night of July 6, 2007 and the personnel entered the houses of some residents claiming to be conducting a search.
It is reported that some of them were in possession of metal detectors and so on.
They got a call while they were in the layout and suddenly left, apologising to the residents.
Both Poonamallee Police Station and Mangadu Police Station had no idea about any search operation in the area. The personnel at the Poonamallee PS were needlessly rude to the residents of Jeeva Nagar when they went to enquire about the incident. That is not surprising, given that the general demeanour of most Indian police personnel is less then civilised and they consider the taxpaying public to be helpless.
It is reported that some of them were in possession of metal detectors and so on.
They got a call while they were in the layout and suddenly left, apologising to the residents.
Both Poonamallee Police Station and Mangadu Police Station had no idea about any search operation in the area. The personnel at the Poonamallee PS were needlessly rude to the residents of Jeeva Nagar when they went to enquire about the incident. That is not surprising, given that the general demeanour of most Indian police personnel is less then civilised and they consider the taxpaying public to be helpless.
Monday, April 30, 2007
After ETA Star, a proposal for flats in Jeeva Nagar
It is now clear that the value of Jeeva Nagar is established as one of the most attractive destinations in an expanding metropolis: a middle class builder has announced the construction of single and double-bed room flats in a plot in Jeeva Nagar.
The owners of property here feel glad that this locality appeals to the sensibilities of the middle class, which is a solid endorsement of its long-term viability.
It is difficult to find today anywhere in Chennai, flats of the size now planned, affordable to the salaried middle class that is not plugged into the new economy in the upper stacks.
However, we take this opportunity once again to express our deep disappointment with BLB Estates the original promoter of the plots and the Mangadu Panchayat, led by its Chairman and the Councillor of Badrimedu, who have not provided proper roads, street lighting and have failed to develop the common areas, leaving them open to encroachment.
An appeal is also pending with the Kancheepuram District Collector, (Mr. Pradeep Yadav, IAS when it was filed), with no sign of action. The Mangadu Panchayat should realise that with the occupation of Jeeva Nagar in coming years, the complexion of the Badrimedu ward is bound to change, and residents will remember the inaction of the present party in power, the DMK. It should act to remedy the situation today.
The owners of property here feel glad that this locality appeals to the sensibilities of the middle class, which is a solid endorsement of its long-term viability.
It is difficult to find today anywhere in Chennai, flats of the size now planned, affordable to the salaried middle class that is not plugged into the new economy in the upper stacks.
However, we take this opportunity once again to express our deep disappointment with BLB Estates the original promoter of the plots and the Mangadu Panchayat, led by its Chairman and the Councillor of Badrimedu, who have not provided proper roads, street lighting and have failed to develop the common areas, leaving them open to encroachment.
An appeal is also pending with the Kancheepuram District Collector, (Mr. Pradeep Yadav, IAS when it was filed), with no sign of action. The Mangadu Panchayat should realise that with the occupation of Jeeva Nagar in coming years, the complexion of the Badrimedu ward is bound to change, and residents will remember the inaction of the present party in power, the DMK. It should act to remedy the situation today.
Thursday, February 8, 2007
Property Values in Chennai
The news item in The Hindu today that IDBI has sold a piece of property on Boat Club Road through e-auction for the staggering amount of Rs.175 crore highlights the levels which property prices in Chennai are touching.
This price works out to a rate of Rs. 4.02 crores per ground of 2,400 sq. ft. In many other places, the price touches about Rs. 3.5 crores a ground.
As a prime piece of real estate on the high value Mount - Poonamallee Road and the upcoming widenened Poonamallee - Kunrathur road via Mangadu, Jeeva Nagar is truly a gem of a place to have.
Already, all the signs of development around it are evident. In fact, by the time most of us move in there, it may acquire the contemporary "metro" look, without the benefit of solitude and quiet!
Let us do our best to improve its environs.
This price works out to a rate of Rs. 4.02 crores per ground of 2,400 sq. ft. In many other places, the price touches about Rs. 3.5 crores a ground.
As a prime piece of real estate on the high value Mount - Poonamallee Road and the upcoming widenened Poonamallee - Kunrathur road via Mangadu, Jeeva Nagar is truly a gem of a place to have.
Already, all the signs of development around it are evident. In fact, by the time most of us move in there, it may acquire the contemporary "metro" look, without the benefit of solitude and quiet!
Let us do our best to improve its environs.
Monday, January 29, 2007
Jeeva Nagar problems in The Hindu
The Hindu has today (Jan 29, 2007) carried a lengthy appeal from Mr. Ramkumar in the Readers' Mail column on behalf of all owners and residents, on the civic problems affecting the layout.
The text of the letter is as follows:
Civic works in Jeeva Nagar
The residents of Jeeva Nagar, a CMDA-approved layout in Kattupakkam just off the fast developing Mount-Poonamallee Road (PPD LO No. 134/2003 and Survey Nos. 558/2B2, 559/2, 561/2 and 562 of Mangadu Village) are awaiting civic works to be undertaken, to overcome problems of severe monsoon flooding, lack of basic roads and street lighting.
The Mangadu Panchayat, which has jurisdiction over the layout, has said that it is considering these development works, and tenders are being processed, which is a commendable step.
We would like to point out that optimal utilisation of the allocation can take place only if the road level in the layout is raised through addition of debris (which is readily available from nearby encroachment demolition work carried out by official agencies in December 2006). This would bring the Jeeva Nagar ground level on par with adjoining Badrimedu ward and AUDCO Nagar.
During 2005 and 2006, Jeeva Nagar remained inaccessible for nearly four months because of flooding, release of sewage from adjacent wards, lack of roads and total darkness at dusk. As a result, house-building activity came to a halt and the panchayat suffered revenue loss.
While thanking the Kancheepuram District Collector and the Mangadu Panchayat for their initiative, we appeal that they make the best use of funds by ensuring at least four feet road height, and provision for laying of drinking water pipelines along all interior streets.
S. Ramkumar,
President
Jeeva Nagar Owner's And Residents Welfare Association
Kattupakkam.
It would be good if we could follow it up by calling up the Panchayat and urging them to devote the required attention to the problems immediately.
The text of the letter is as follows:
Civic works in Jeeva Nagar
The residents of Jeeva Nagar, a CMDA-approved layout in Kattupakkam just off the fast developing Mount-Poonamallee Road (PPD LO No. 134/2003 and Survey Nos. 558/2B2, 559/2, 561/2 and 562 of Mangadu Village) are awaiting civic works to be undertaken, to overcome problems of severe monsoon flooding, lack of basic roads and street lighting.
The Mangadu Panchayat, which has jurisdiction over the layout, has said that it is considering these development works, and tenders are being processed, which is a commendable step.
We would like to point out that optimal utilisation of the allocation can take place only if the road level in the layout is raised through addition of debris (which is readily available from nearby encroachment demolition work carried out by official agencies in December 2006). This would bring the Jeeva Nagar ground level on par with adjoining Badrimedu ward and AUDCO Nagar.
During 2005 and 2006, Jeeva Nagar remained inaccessible for nearly four months because of flooding, release of sewage from adjacent wards, lack of roads and total darkness at dusk. As a result, house-building activity came to a halt and the panchayat suffered revenue loss.
While thanking the Kancheepuram District Collector and the Mangadu Panchayat for their initiative, we appeal that they make the best use of funds by ensuring at least four feet road height, and provision for laying of drinking water pipelines along all interior streets.
S. Ramkumar,
President
Jeeva Nagar Owner's And Residents Welfare Association
Kattupakkam.
It would be good if we could follow it up by calling up the Panchayat and urging them to devote the required attention to the problems immediately.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Tender works 'on anvil'
We have heard from Mr.Ramkumar today that the Mangadu Panchayat is about to call for tenders for road, streetlighting and drinking water works for Jeeva Nagar.
This is a very promising piece of information, but we are not sure if the panchayat will take into account the low road level in the layout, when compared with AUDCO Nagar on one side and Badrimedu on the other.
One of our neighbours with good contacts in the panchayat was requested to pursue the matter with the panchayat EO and he has expressed his readiness.
Unless the road level is raised and repairs carried out, any investment on Jeeva Nagar will be a waste of public funds.
This is a very promising piece of information, but we are not sure if the panchayat will take into account the low road level in the layout, when compared with AUDCO Nagar on one side and Badrimedu on the other.
One of our neighbours with good contacts in the panchayat was requested to pursue the matter with the panchayat EO and he has expressed his readiness.
Unless the road level is raised and repairs carried out, any investment on Jeeva Nagar will be a waste of public funds.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Neighbouring Bougainvillea site of Alliance
Some of us have seen the nearby site of Alliance, the real estate company where it is putting up a gated community called Bougainvillea.
The advertisements of the property fashion it as a Spanish villa complex with English gardens. Currently, it looks very much like the Ayyappanthangal-Kattupakkam-Poonamallee belt, where it is located. The site is 1 km off the Mount-Poonamallee road and about 2 km from Jeeva Nagar, towards Ayyappanthangal. Take second road to the left after crossing Ayyappanthangal bus terminus, while travelling towards Kattupakkam from SRMC.
Here is a slideshow of the Bougainvillea property.
The advertisements of the property fashion it as a Spanish villa complex with English gardens. Currently, it looks very much like the Ayyappanthangal-Kattupakkam-Poonamallee belt, where it is located. The site is 1 km off the Mount-Poonamallee road and about 2 km from Jeeva Nagar, towards Ayyappanthangal. Take second road to the left after crossing Ayyappanthangal bus terminus, while travelling towards Kattupakkam from SRMC.
Here is a slideshow of the Bougainvillea property.
Sunday, January 7, 2007
Watch a slideshow of Jeeva Nagar Then and Now
Those of us who hoped to see Jeeva Nagar, Mangadu come up as a healthy, clean and attractive neighbourhood have been disappointed by the lack of action by the promoter, BLB Estates and the Mangadu Panchayat to repair the roads so that we could enter our properties and start building.
I have dug up the photos of Jeeva Nagar from the time it was first created and announced by BLB Estates and sold to us, and its status after the monsoon of 2005 and 2006.
Here is an online album. If you would like to add your own photos, please mail them to me.
I have dug up the photos of Jeeva Nagar from the time it was first created and announced by BLB Estates and sold to us, and its status after the monsoon of 2005 and 2006.
Here is an online album. If you would like to add your own photos, please mail them to me.
Monday, January 1, 2007
Power Point Show on Jeeva Nagar
Greetings to all members for 2007. Let us hope the New Year will bring everyone peace and happiness.
During a recent visit (Sunday, December 31, 2006) I could see that little had changed in Jeeva Nagar. The rainwater and sewage mix was still stagnating in several plots and it was impossible to move around the layout.
Watchman Karuna said BLB Estates had instructed him to clear the thorny bushes and arrange for raising of road level. We have to see whether BLB will deliver on this matter.
Meanwhile here is a powerpoint show on the latest situation, with an appeal to the Kancheepuram District Collectorate.
This presentation should also be an eye-opener for those purchasing other properties about the failure of CMDA-approved layouts and the role of developers.
Another post of a neighbouring real estate development, the Bougainvillea site promoted by Alliance with pictures will shortly be published.
Secretary
During a recent visit (Sunday, December 31, 2006) I could see that little had changed in Jeeva Nagar. The rainwater and sewage mix was still stagnating in several plots and it was impossible to move around the layout.
Watchman Karuna said BLB Estates had instructed him to clear the thorny bushes and arrange for raising of road level. We have to see whether BLB will deliver on this matter.
Meanwhile here is a powerpoint show on the latest situation, with an appeal to the Kancheepuram District Collectorate.
This presentation should also be an eye-opener for those purchasing other properties about the failure of CMDA-approved layouts and the role of developers.
Another post of a neighbouring real estate development, the Bougainvillea site promoted by Alliance with pictures will shortly be published.
Secretary
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