T. Nagar: A major commercial hub plagued by inadequate civic infrastructure

T. Nagar faces severe infrastructure challenges amid commercial growth, impacting emergency services and resident quality of life.

Beneath the bustling commercial facade of Chennai’s premier shopping hub lies a civic infrastructure that has been struggling to match rapid urbanisation. We are talking about Thiyagarayanagar Assembly Constituency, popularly known as T. Nagar.

The constituency includes areas such as Kodambakkam, Ashok Nagar, West Mambalam, Pondy Bazaar, a portion of C.I.T. Nagar, and parts of Vadapalani.

Residents here primarily point to severe infrastructure bottlenecks caused by rampant commercialisation. Within two years of pedestrianisation, T. Nagar has seen a 15% to 20% increase in commercial sales and up to 20% rise in land value, according to the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC).

V.S. Jayaraman of the T. Nagar Residents’ Welfare Association (RWA) said, “Plinth levels are rising due to rapid urbanisation, unchecked commercial and residential encroachments continue to increase. However, the capacity of the sewer and stormwater networks remains the same, leading to frequent overflows.”

Many vehicles, including ambulances and fire tenders, struggle to navigate narrow lanes. Further, the newly constructed flyover named after former DMK MLA J. Anbazhagan has done little to ease traffic congestion, he said.

The multi-level parking facility in Pondy Bazaar is often non-operational, under maintenance, or in full capacity, while the pedestrian bridge is largely utilised only by morning joggers, he said.