Chennai's CIT Colony Residents Demand Pavement Repairs After Decade of Neglect
For more than ten years, residents of CIT Colony in Mylapore, Chennai, have been struggling with broken and uneven pavements that pose significant safety risks. Pedestrians report that repeated complaints to the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) about poor maintenance have failed to result in any meaningful action, leaving the community frustrated and demanding immediate intervention.
Historical Context and Current Issues
The footpaths in CIT Colony were last relaid in 2011 during the AIADMK regime. According to Ramdas Naik, secretary of the CIT Colony Residents Welfare Association, the work was done hastily with concrete and granite. "Concrete was poured around trees without providing adequate breathing space, and the project was not executed properly," he explained. Today, all pavements are in poor condition and largely unusable.
Many stretches are uneven and encroached upon by debris and parked vehicles, severely limiting space for pedestrians. T Mathiazhagan, another resident, highlighted the dangers: "Broken pavement stones on the road pose risks to commuters and residents, especially during the monsoon when conditions worsen." He urged civic authorities to relay the footpaths with proper design standards, including sufficient space around trees and provisions for stormwater drains.
Official Response and Future Plans
In response to the outcry, Teynampet zonal officer P Banukumar stated that the footpaths had been maintained well until recently, with no need for re-laying in the past decade. "However, recent damage has been noticed, and steps have been taken to address it," he said. Work on a few interior streets is currently underway, with repairs on other streets scheduled for completion by May.
This development comes as residents continue to voice their concerns over the long-standing neglect. The situation underscores broader issues of urban infrastructure maintenance in Chennai, where delayed repairs can lead to public safety hazards. As the monsoon season approaches, the urgency for compliant and durable footpaths becomes even more critical to prevent accidents and ensure pedestrian safety.
