Finally, Old Trunk Road gets street lights

Following representations from residents, the Cantonment Board and the Tambaram Corporation have coordinated to restore and install street lights along affected stretches of Old Trunk Road

The intersection of Old Trunk Road and the road leading to the Pallavaram railway station remains poorly illuminated at night. | Photo Credit: T. Arvind

Old Trunk Road, a key link connecting the Grand Southern Trunk (GST) Road, Shanthai Road and the Pallavaram railway station, had remained poorly lit for several months, triggering safety concerns. While the southern half of the road is maintained by the Tambaram Corporation, the remaining stretch up to Shanthai Road falls under the Cantonment Board.

The St. Thomas Mount-cum-Pallavaram Cantonment, one of the oldest in the country, established in 1774, administers areas including St. Thomas Mount, Meenambakkam and parts of Pallavaram.

Safety concerns earlier

More than half-a-kilometre of the stretch under Ward 5 had been without functional streetlights, making it unsafe after sunset, according to residents. Women commuters had reportedly avoided the route, opting for longer alternatives to reach the railway station and Shanthai Road.

The portion below the Pallavaram flyover, which provides access to the railway station from Shanthai Road and a nearby church, was also poorly lit. Residents had pointed to broken liquor bottles, garbage accumulation and instances of harassment and theft as issues that needed attention.