Chennai’s infrastructure is under severe strain as multiple service departments and private entities conduct unauthorised roadworks across the city, defying explicit directives from the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC). The ongoing construction, primarily due to Chennai Metro Rail projects and the installation of new stormwater drains, has already caused significant disruptions.
The additional road-cutting activities by departments such as the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB), Tangedco, and private service providers have further compounded the chaos. Residents of Chennai, already grappling with high levels of pollution, potholed streets, and frequent traffic diversions, now face a new challenge—unplanned road-cutting works that add to the city’s already beleaguered infrastructure. Despite clear instructions from the GCC to refrain from digging newly re-laid roads for at least six months to a year, except in cases of emergency maintenance, these directives have been largely ignored. This lack of compliance has resulted in fresh asphalt being torn up repeatedly, leading to a significant waste of resources and a decline in road quality.
The situation is exacerbated by the conflicting priorities of the various departments involved in the city’s infrastructure projects. While the Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) continues its extensive underground and elevated rail works, other departments are simultaneously laying cables, pipelines, and drains. The overlapping schedules and lack of coordination among these entities have led to repeated road excavations, leaving large portions of the city’s thoroughfares in a perpetual state of disrepair. The GCC has repeatedly urged these departments to coordinate better and adhere to the stipulated guidelines for roadworks. However, enforcement appears to be lacking, and the resulting disruptions have sparked widespread frustration among Chennai’s residents. Commuters have voiced their dissatisfaction with the poor condition of roads and the frequent changes to traffic patterns, which have made daily travel increasingly challenging.
