Varadharajapuram, a residential area in Kancheepuram district, faced tough floods in 2015. A Central team had then visited to check flood damage. Ten years later, this monsoon, residents felt relief. The State government's new 'cut-and-cover' projects successfully redirected floodwaters to waterbodies like Sembarambakkam lake. This helped prevent flooding in Varadharajapuram. More projects are planned to fight floods in the future. The area was developed in the 1970s with over 70 layouts, including Royappa Nagar, started by Tamil Nadu Secretariat employees in 1972. Many plots remain empty because flood risks stopped people from building homes. If flooding reduces, the area can offer many new houses. Royappa Nagar alone has 1,672 plots from one to two grounds. V. Rajasekaran, president of the Federation of Varadharajapuram Residents' Welfare Associations, said, "Varadharajapuram was the residential area with the largest layout in Kancheepuram district, and it began showing signs of urban development after the Outer Ring Road improved connectivity." He added, "This year, we did not experience flooding because of the cut-and-cover projects implemented to divert water. We also request the government to widen the ORR bridge across the Adyar river to prevent flooding, and to strengthen the entire stretch of the river bund. Some portions have already been strengthened." Residents want a park and a community hall in the panchayat, especially in Royappa Nagar. While bus services improved after the Kilambakkam bus terminus opened five kilometres away, there is no progress on plans to develop a railway line along the 50-metre-wide strip near the Outer Ring Road from Vandalur to Minjur. Parts of this land were used for other projects, and some encroachments appeared, worrying locals. Panchayat president M. Selvamani said residents demand a sewage treatment plant to stop Adyar river pollution. They also want shutters to stop floods when the river rises during monsoon. With new flood control projects and future infrastructure plans, Varadharajapuram looks forward to safer rains and more growth.