Citizen Consumer and Civic Action Group (CAG) conducted a walkability audit around Teynampet covering Eldams Road, Thiruvalluvar Street and Venus Colony to mark World Pedestrian Day. The audit assessed accessibility, quality and perceived safety of pedestrian infrastructure.

Ratings (out of 5):

• Accessibility: 1.36
• Footpath quality: 1.36
• Perceived pedestrian safety: 1.91

More than 200 pedestrians were counted during the walk. Across audited stretches, footpaths were absent, discontinuous or difficult to access. Where they existed, they were frequently obstructed by parked vehicles, property ramps, garbage, dustbins, electricity infrastructure and street vendors. Public footpath space had been fenced off or occupied, pushing pedestrians onto the carriageway.

A researcher walking 900 metres between Teynampet Metro station and office twice daily described the stretch as an obstacle course with moving vehicles, puddles, loose stones and live wires.

CAG noted that many streets had no footpaths or unusable ones, with existing footpaths encroached upon by property owners or fenced off. Creating safer walking environments requires continuous and accessible pedestrian infrastructure, removal of encroachments, safe crossings, appropriate speed management and effective enforcement. According to ministry of road transport and highways 2024 data, 36,536 pedestrians were killed in road crashes in India in 2024, accounting for 20.6% of all road crash fatalities.

The India Meteorological Department forecast normal Northeast monsoon rainfall, with a strong El Niño likely to intensify it later in 2026. Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) flood-vulnerable locations fell from nearly 800 in 2015 to 389 in 2023 and 219 for the 2026 monsoon; officials review the list using field assessments, rainfall patterns and completed mitigation works. Micro-level stormwater-drain works are 95% complete, but capacity constraints remain along the Buckingham Canal, Adyar and Sholinganallur. GCC is coordinating with the Railways and Chennai Metro Rail Limited; temporary pumping facilities are in place. Central Chennai works are 52% complete; western-region works, 56%. Five drinking-water reservoirs hold 4.5 TMC of 11.7 TMC capacity. Residents and councillors cite delayed desilting, including at Kodungaiyur Canal. Previously inundated areas include Medavakkam, Chitlapakkam, Hasthinapuram, Kadaperi, Ambedkar Road, Jothi Nagar and Sunnambu Kolathur. Officials and experts cite urbanisation, encroachments, blocked waterways and silting as flood risks, and call for wetland protection, redesigned drains, desilting and flood-plain zoning.

CMRL has allowed the State Highways Department to resume the 3.2-km, four-lane Teynampet-Saidapet elevated corridor above Teynampet and Nandanam Metro stations. The ₹621-crore project is expected to be ready by March 2027. About 2.4 km runs above the metro tunnel, including 460 metres over the stations; another 655 metres is along the non-metro stretch, excluding entry and exit ramps.

Deck slabs are complete along 2.3 km, and 50 of 69 piers have been erected. Portal frames will support the deck across 300 metres above the stations, spaced 15 metres apart; installation will take at least three to four months. The stations lie 14–15 metres below Anna Salai, while foundations were drilled to just 7 metres to avoid disturbing the tunnel. A Japanese consultant reviewed the design and recommended modifications; no major flaws were found. Labour shortages have been resolved, but work is limited to six hours daily. Traffic diversions are the only remaining approval required.

The State Highways Department is discussing a pilot handover to the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) of footpaths and stormwater drains along a 12-km stretch of Anna Salai and parts of Grand Southern Trunk (GST) Road up to the airport, excluding the Teynampet–Saidapet flyover section. The stretch runs from Quaid-e-Millath Bridge in Park Town to the airport. GCC would maintain footpaths and clear drains, while the department would maintain main carriageways. The Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority is identifying and finalising stretches; the department will issue a no-objection certificate before work begins. If the pilot succeeds, Poonamallee High Road, Jawaharlal Nehru Salai and other city highways may also be handed over. GCC Commissioner GS Sameeran said the corporation already manages solid waste and footpath enforcement. A Royapettah resident cited encroachments at GP Road and Anna Salai, blocked sections, missing paving and unstable paving blocks.

• The Greater Chennai Traffic Police held a helmet-awareness rally on Thursday, launched by Deputy Commissioner of Police, Traffic East District, S. Megalina Eden, on Sivananda Salai. Students from three colleges, traffic wardens and police personnel participated.
• Eden said road accidents had declined from last year, citing police awareness programmes, greater public awareness and helmet compliance, strict enforcement, and fines based on automatic number plate recognition camera footage.
• Metro Rail and flyover works are causing congestion, particularly on Anna Salai in Saidapet and Teynampet; traffic is expected to improve significantly when the works are completed. Additional personnel are being deployed at key points on OMR and ECR, with traffic flow regulated to ease congestion.