Puzhal is one of five lakes providing drinking water to Chennai. Sewage from Ambattur, 13 km away, enters the lake because several areas in the zone lack underground sewage network (UGD). Underground drainage work was promised to commence October 2025 but has not started. Sewage from stormwater drains enters a rainwater canal along Manal Odai Road that was built to carry floodwater to Puzhal lake from Lenin Nagar, Saraswathy Nagar, Padmavathy Srinivasa Nagar and others. About 450 families either discharge sewage into stormwater drains or use lorries. Metro Water had planned to construct the underground sewage system and water supply network in left-out areas and streets through the Ambattur area office, but the board later changed the decision to implement through headquarters. A detailed project report has been prepared for the network in left-out areas.

A three-decade-old water pipeline burst on Grand Northern Trunk Road at Puzhal around 2 am on Monday, causing a cave-in with a crater measuring 6 metres long, 3 metres wide and 2 metres deep. The 1,200 mm diameter pipeline carries water from the 300 MLD Puzhal water treatment plant to northern Chennai. Water supply to Tondiarpet and parts of Manali, Madhavaram and Thiru-Vi-Ka Nagar was suspended until 10 pm Wednesday. The pipeline, laid 35 years ago when the National Highway was two lanes, now faces increased load from the widened four-lane road with service lanes. A work order to replace the pipeline under the Ring Main System project will take two years to complete. This was the first cave-in from this pipeline in five years. A similar incident occurred three months earlier on the opposite side of the road from another 35-year-old pipeline. Metro Water deployed tanker lorries for emergency supply and residents could book tankers via the 'Dial for Water' facility on the agency website. Affected wards: Tondiarpet zone; Thiru-Vi-Ka Nagar (Ward 71, 72); Madhavaram (Wards 25, 26, 28, 29, parts of 30, 27, 31); Manali zone Ward 17 (North Perumbakkam, Theeyambakkam, Kosapur, Chettimedu, Ariyalur, Thyagi Viswanath Das Nagar).

A 1,200mm diameter main pipeline from the 300 MLD Puzhal treatment plant burst in early Monday on GNT Road, Cycle Shop area of Puzhal (part of Kolkata National Highway). Cave-in rendered nearly half the road unusable, causing traffic standstill between Red Hills and Madhavaram. No injuries reported.

Metrowater pipeline replacement work will disrupt water supply in Zones 2, 3, 4 and 6 until 10pm September 9, affecting thousands of residents across north Chennai.

Zone 2 (Manali): Vadaperumbakkam, Theeyampakkam, Kosappur, Chettimedu. Zone 3 (Madhavaram): Ponniammanmedu, Vinayagapuram, Bank Colony, parts of Kathirvedu. Zone 4 (Tondiarpet): Entire area. Zone 6 (Thiru-Vi-Ka Nagar): Areas near Perambur railway station and Kannikapuram.

Metrowater deployed additional water lorries to supplement existing fleet. Repair work coordinated with police and National Highways Authority of India. Residents can register for water delivery through 'Dial for Water' at cmwssb.tn.gov.in.

A malfunctioning traffic signal at Ramaswami Mudalaiyar School junction near Ambattur has caused congestion, wrong-side driving and inconvenience to motorists. Residents have urged authorities to restore normal traffic flow. The 12-km Ambattur–Red Hills Road connects Puzhal, Surapet, Kallikuppam, Kathirvedu and Ambattur OT.

MTC Route 104 runs between Tambaram Sanatorium and Redhills using the Chennai Bypass, connecting southern Chennai with northern suburbs. Key hubs include Tambaram Railway Station, Porur Toll Plaza, Ambattur Industrial Estate, Puzhal and Redhills. Listed stops include Kallikuppam Tea Kadai and Sri Nallaghu Polytechnic College.

The route faces congestion around Ambattur Industrial Estate and Ambattur OT during peak periods of 8:00–10:00 AM and 6:00–9:00 PM. Passengers heading to Maduravoyal or Poonamallee High Road can alight at Athipet Junction. Route 104 does not serve Kilambakkam Bus Terminus (KCBT); passengers can transfer at Tambaram Railway Station to a southbound bus. It bypasses Maduravoyal Flyover ramps; Athipet Junction is suggested for nearby destinations. The Chennai One app offers live bus tracking and digital tickets.