ThePrint ThePrintPod: Chennai is being governed on PowerPoint—plans shine on slides, fail on streets
Jul 2, 2025
Vinoc P. Selvam, State Secretary of the BJP in Tamil Nadu and author, dives into the alarming decay of Chennai’s infrastructure. He discusses the facade of progress under the DMK, where ambitious plans often remain mere PowerPoint presentations, failing to manifest in reality. Selvam highlights the growing frustrations among residents, who feel neglected and demand real accountability from their leaders. As elections approach, he emphasizes the urgent need for a government that prioritizes effective governance over empty promises.
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Chennai's Governance Is PowerPoint Only
- Chennai's infrastructure appears revamped only for optics, not functionality or citizen benefit.
- The governance prioritizes image and perception over actual urban improvements and accountability.
Neglect in North and New Chennai
- North and expanding Chennai face stagnant sanitation, unauthorized building, and weak law enforcement.
- Urban housing projects near sewage-ridden areas show lack of meaningful progress despite high-profile inaugurations.
Perception Focus Over Infrastructure
- Tamil Nadu's government invests heavily in managing perception through media and influencers.
- Real governance issues like dysfunctional traffic signals go mostly unaddressed while praise for leaders is widespread.