Greater Chennai Corporation mulls online system to tackle road-cut issues faster

Greater Chennai Corporation mulls online system to tackle road-cut issues faster

The road in Thirumoorthy Nagar, Nungambakkam, has deteriorated further despite complaints, said N. Murli, a resident. He stated that work to lay drinking water and sewage lines has been under way for several months now, but not consistently. This inconsistency had been going on even before the intermittent rains began, he added. Similar issues were reported in Nallaiah Naidu Street in Nammalwarpet of Purasaiwakkam, Arcot Road in Valasaravakkam, and Moovrasanpet.

Amid such complaints of delayed road cuts and lack of connection to services, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) is likely to form a new online system to coordinate with multiple government agencies.

Commissioner J. Kumaragurubaran instructed officials to expedite the repair of road cuts on a war footing during a meeting held on June 3, 2025, said officials at the Bus Route Roads department of the GCC.

This is after multiple issues regarding roads and pipelines were raised during the council meeting that was held on May 29. At the meeting, Deputy Mayor M. Magesh Kumaar suggested holding coordination meetings with Chennai Corporation and Chennai Metro Water Supply and Sewage Board (CMWSSB) officials and engineers of each ward and zone to address complaints from residents across the city about repeated road cuts.

“Road cuts are inevitable for departments taking up massive and continuous work for connections such as CMWSSB, CMRL, and TANGEDCO. So, to cut short the time for availing permission amid departments, an online system has been planned to streamline and expedite addressing road cuts and repairing the cuts,” the official added.

Meanwhile, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) councillor S. Jeevan stated that in Lebanonpuram, the metro water connection was cut off 15 years ago to facilitate the construction of the Moolakadai flyover. “Despite this lack of connection, residents have continued to pay taxes for water services. Currently, they rely on two kudams [storage pots], filled from pumps every alternate day. Unfortunately, there is no option to install borewell pumps in this location, forcing people to buy water instead. The Corporation must discuss this too,” he said.

A zonal GCC official said the CMWSSB will be notified regarding this.