Over the past few days, my visits to the tea kadai have been irregular, largely due to my wife’s health concerns and my own dental appointments. As a result, I’ve missed much of the daily chatter, but one topic continues to dominate conversations within the community—the increased maintenance charges imposed by the service provider from April 2026.
Image by ChatGPT
The
Resident Welfare Association has not accepted this hike and has been seeking
justification and supporting documents for the increase. However, based on
updates shared with residents, the service provider has not responded
adequately to these queries.
An open house meeting was recently conducted by the association, where committee members shared their views not only on the revised charges but also on broader issues affecting senior residents. A key concern raised was the disruption in commercial gas supply to the community kitchen. It was alleged that non-payment to the gas agency led to the cancellation of the consumer number, forcing the kitchen to rely on firewood. This has, understandably, affected both the quality and variety of food being served.
The association has suggested that residents—both owners and tenants—pay maintenance charges at the February 2026 level rather than the revised amount, as a way to pressure the service provider into negotiations. However, opinions among residents are divided. One group supports partial payment now and settling the balance after mutual agreement, with legal action as a fallback. Another group believes in paying the full amount upfront and then pursuing legal remedies if needed, arguing that courts may not entertain cases where dues are unpaid.
What stands out, rather disappointingly, is the level of discord among residents. Many of them, despite their experience and past positions of authority, seem to engage in unnecessary arguments, especially on Whats App groups, often dismissing even constructive suggestions.
Personally, I prefer to stay away from these politics. While the association plays an important role in representing residents’ concerns, it should avoid unilateral decisions that may disrupt essential services. Ultimately, I intend to act based on my own judgment rather than follow any stance blindly. After all, the quality of services was a key factor in choosing to live here, and that should not be compromised.
On 28th April, one of the more interesting conversations revolved around a solo road trip undertaken by Mr. Rajan to Shillong and back…an adventure inspired by a similar journey recently completed by another resident Dr Kamaraj.
Rajan shared vivid accounts of his experiences along the way. His journey through West Bengal coincided with the election period, which brought unexpected challenges. Due to local restrictions, hotels were not accommodating outsiders, leaving him stranded for options. After considerable effort, he managed to secure an Airbnb stay for two nights, which provided some much-needed relief.
The return leg of his journey presented a different kind of hurdle. In Telangana, he encountered a widespread fuel shortage, with over 200 petrol bunks reportedly shut. Anticipating uncertainty, he adopted a simple but effective strategy of refuelling whenever he came across an operational bunk, ensuring he was never caught off guard.
He also recounted an unusual and slightly unsettling interaction at a toll booth. A member of the transgender community approached his vehicle seeking money. Upon his refusal, the individual scribbled something on his windshield—possibly a signal to others ahead, though he wasn’t certain. Rajan chose to wipe it off shortly after and, as a precaution, decided to avoid stopping immediately after toll booths where such encounters are more common. Overall, his story sparked curiosity and discussion, offering a glimpse into the unpredictability and resilience that is often required in solo travel across diverse regions.