Prakasam Street Turns a New Leaf Ends Years of Urban Blight
A notorious corner of Prakasam Street in T Nagar, once overwhelmed by garbage and illegal debris dumping, has undergone a quiet but striking transformation.
By May 2025, a once squalid patch near the massive CMWSSB water tank has been turned into a fenced garden, curbing both littering and haphazard vehicle parking. Previously located opposite Prakasam First Street, the area had long been an eyesore. Despite the presence of five bins, garbage often piled up around them rather than inside. Construction waste would be dumped secretly, and heavy vehicles regularly encroached on the space outside the compound wall of the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) facility.
Today, the contrast is dramatic. The bins have been relocated, and a modest but effective garden now fills the space, leaving no room for dumping. A fence lines the perimeter, effectively deterring unauthorised parking. Adding a splash of vibrancy, the compound wall features colourful paintings, encouraging residents and passersby to engage more positively with the space. This turnaround offers a textbook case of the “Broken Window Theory” in reverse—where signs of care and order help discourage neglect. Earlier, images published by The Hindu Downtown on December 29, 2023, had spotlighted the deteriorating condition of the patch. The recent changes reflect what sustained civic attention and basic urban design interventions can achieve.
Residents credit the improvement to consistent monitoring and the decision to reclaim the space for public good. While not an expansive park, the patch now stands as a symbol of what Chennai’s neighbourhoods can accomplish with minimal yet focused civic action.
Prakasam Street Turns a New Leaf Ends Years of Urban Blight
- Advertisment -
