The Greater Chennai Corporation has been dragging a ₹17 crore stormwater drain project on Anna Nagar second avenue for nine months with scant regard for pedestrian safety. Of the 4.2km drain network, covering both sides of the road, just more than half has been completed. Though orders were given in September last year, GCC began work only in January. Key stretches from Anna Nagar Roundtana to Thirumangalam near Fifth Avenue and 12th Avenue are dug up or poorly patched up after construction work was complete.
Pedestrians Face Hazardous Conditions
This has also left pedestrians tiptoeing over wooden planks, dodging live power lines, leaping across half-built drains, and risking falls into dug-up pits with protruding rods. “Mounds of construction debris have been dumped in front of my house for several months now. The workers say there is a lack of coordination with the EB department,” says a local, adding that GCC must clear the road properly once work is completed.
“The stench is unbearable. This has been the state since the start of this year,” said Murugan, a watchman. Even on completed stretches, the work is patchy, with open pits and uneven surfaces, say locals. The presence of bus stops at Blue Star and 12th Main Road, along with three Metro stations at Anna Nagar Roundtana, Tower Park, and Thirumangalam, makes this stretch a crucial public utility corridor. With ongoing works, vehicles encroach the carriageway along dug-up portions, worsening congestion and forcing pedestrians to walk on the road.
Business Impact and Project Details
For many, this has entailed a loss of business too. “The open dug-up portions deter customers. This stretch is a flood-prone region and the current works are aimed at connecting the SWD on Second Avenue to the existing one on Third Avenue. Even in spots where work was over, GCC hasn’t set up silt catch pits for water to flow into the drain,” said a local shopkeeper.
GCC regional deputy commissioner (Central) H R Kaushik said the works are set to be completed this month. “Commissioner G S Sameeran and I inspected the stretch and told workers to speed up,” he said. Anna Nagar MLA V K Ramkumar said he held a review meet 10 days ago and that works were progressing. “There were issues with the contractor, which have been resolved,” he said.
Ongoing Issues and Official Response
Residents remain skeptical, citing the prolonged delays and lack of proper safety measures. The incomplete drain project has turned a key arterial road into a nightmare for commuters and residents alike. With the monsoon season approaching, there are concerns that unfinished works could lead to waterlogging and further inconvenience.
