Chennai Tondiarpet Roads Crumble Amid Metro Pipeline Delays
In Chennai’s Tondiarpet neighbourhood, residents and commuters are frustrated with worsening road conditions on Kailasam Street and Seniamman Kovil Street. Both stretches, under Zone 4 of the Greater Chennai Corporation, remain in a state of neglect, with potholes and damaged surfaces made worse by ongoing Metro Water pipeline work. Locals are calling for urgent restoration as traffic congestion and waterlogging continue to affect daily life.
Kailasam Street is home to key public institutions like a government hospital and a primary school, yet its road has not been resurfaced in over a decade. Seniamman Kovil Street, though last laid five years ago, is now crumbling under pressure from pipeline work and regular traffic. The narrow lanes, combined with poor drainage, create severe bottlenecks during school hours and rainfall, worsening the daily commute for two-wheeler riders and pedestrians alike.
Residents say potholes, filth, and uneven surfaces have become daily hazards. Many lament the lack of coordination between civic departments, especially with long-standing Metro Water work contributing further to the deterioration. The narrow, overused streets now serve as potential accident zones, especially during the monsoon. Locals have repeatedly flagged concerns over hygiene, accessibility, and the inability to navigate these stretches safely, particularly for schoolchildren and emergency vehicles.
Officials confirm that the delay in road restoration is directly linked to Metro Water pipeline installation, which forms part of a broader project connecting Royapuram to Tondiarpet. Specific technical requirements, such as laying the pipeline deeper beneath stormwater drains, have extended the timeline. However, residents remain unconvinced, pointing out that the lack of alternate routes or timely updates from civic bodies has left the community vulnerable to both health and logistical issues.
Despite reassurances that road work will resume after pipeline completion, residents are demanding clearer timelines and interim solutions. Suggestions include temporary levelling and improving street lighting to minimise night-time accidents. Commuters, especially daily wage workers and parents of schoolchildren, urge authorities to prioritise Ward 42’s repairs and prevent further delays. The prolonged neglect is seen as a broader failure in urban planning and public service delivery.
The damaged roads of Kailasam and Seniamman Kovil Streets reflect the chronic infrastructure delays affecting Chennai’s inner neighbourhoods. While pipeline work is essential, timely road repairs are equally critical to avoid public distress. Residents are hopeful but remain cautious until promised repairs materialise. As traffic congestion and hygiene concerns escalate, Tondiarpet locals are pressing for accountable and accelerated civic action from authorities.
