Chennai Open Manholes Raise Urban Safety Questions
A growing network of uncovered drainage chambers along service roads on Chennai’s IT corridor is raising fresh concerns about commuter safety and infrastructure management, as residents report hazardous conditions on stretches increasingly relied upon during ongoing transit construction works.
The issue has emerged prominently along Rajiv Gandhi Salai, commonly known as Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR), where traffic diversions linked to large-scale urban transport projects have pushed a significant share of motorists onto parallel service lanes. Residents and commuter groups say several locations near major commercial and institutional developments in Perungudi have become difficult to navigate due to exposed manholes, damaged road surfaces and inadequate lighting.The situation underscores a wider challenge facing rapidly expanding metropolitan regions: how to maintain safe, accessible public infrastructure while executing large-scale mobility upgrades. Urban planners note that temporary disruptions are often unavoidable during major transport investments, but the absence of coordinated maintenance can create avoidable safety risks for citizens.
According to local civic stakeholders, multiple stretches between Perungudi and neighbouring residential districts have deteriorated in recent months. Motorists using these routes during peak periods report slower traffic movement and heightened risks after dark, when visibility is reduced and road conditions become harder to assess.The presence of sewage overflow in some drainage channels has further amplified concerns. Beyond immediate mobility issues, urban infrastructure experts point out that poorly maintained drainage systems can create environmental and public health challenges, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall. Open manholes and blocked stormwater networks can also undermine climate-resilience efforts by affecting water flow and increasing vulnerability to localised flooding.Citizen groups say the matter has been repeatedly flagged to public authorities. However, the complexity of infrastructure ownership along major urban corridors often creates uncertainty over responsibility. Service roads, drainage assets, transport infrastructure and construction zones may fall under different agencies, making timely intervention difficult when maintenance issues arise. Officials associated with corridor management indicated that replacement covers are being prepared following repeated damage to existing installations.
Temporary barricading measures have reportedly been deployed at some locations to reduce immediate risk, while more durable protective structures are expected to be installed in the coming days.The episode highlights the importance of integrated project management as Chennai continues to expand its transport and urban infrastructure network. While major investments in mass transit are expected to improve long-term mobility and reduce carbon-intensive travel dependence, residents argue that day-to-day safety must remain a priority during the transition period. As construction activity continues across the corridor, urban observers suggest that faster inter-agency coordination, routine inspections and better maintenance of service roads will be essential to ensure that infrastructure upgrades do not come at the cost of public safety. For commuters navigating one of the city’s busiest economic corridors, the effectiveness of those measures will be closely watched.
