Purasawalkam residents lament crumbling civic infrastructure on Brick Kiln Road

Brick Kiln Road in Purasawalkam stands as a glaring example of civic apathy, weak enforcement, and a lack of coordination among departments leading to chaos on a public road.

Once a vital artery, the road has now become a congested mess, overrun by unchecked encroachments, makeshift footpath shops, food carts, abandoned furniture, scrapped vehicles, and unregulated parking.

The footpathshave all but vanished, forcing people to walk on the carriageway amid fast-moving traffic. Even more alarming is the near absence of traffic and beat police personnel at any time of the day. This lack of enforcement has led to dangerous traffic patterns and near-miss accidents.

Suman Aggarwal, a resident, lamented the state of the road’s infrastructure. “Large potholes, stagnant rainwater, overflowing sewer lines, and heaps of garbage have become permanent fixtures. The health risks are immediate—mosquito breeding, foul odours, and with an increased chance of infections,” he said.

Sharad Jalan, former president of the Lumbini Square Owners Association, has repeatedly filed complaints with the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) through its 1913 helpline. While each complaint is formally acknowledged via an SMS, no sustained action has been taken, he said.

A senior GCC official admitted that the removal of encroachments has been stalled due to the lack of support from city police. Requests for police assistance have been pending for nearly two years, leaving GCC staff unable to carry out the eviction drive or prevent encroachments.

The situation continues to worsen as temporary hutments are being quietly converted into godowns and supply points, hinting at an organised activity rather than isolated violations. The ease and confidence with which these structures are erected raise serious questions about local enforcement and oversight. Residents, fearing retaliation from local strongmen and politically connected figures, are reluctant to voice their complaints. Their silence is not due to indifference, but rather intimidation. Public spaces, they say, are controlled by vested interests, not the civic authorities.