Municipal Administration Minister K.N. Nehru inaugurated a newly constructed high-level bridge at Vadaperumbakkam on 22 December 2025, built at cost of ₹22.41 crore.

Bridge details:

• Constructed across Puzhal surplus water channel in Manali and Madhavaram zones, covering Wards 17 and 23
• Length: 190 metres
• Width: 7.5 metres
• Allows two vehicles to cross simultaneously
• Funded by Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority and Greater Chennai Corporation capital funds

The bridge replaces a causeway frequently submerged during monsoon, disrupting vehicular movement and causing difficulty for pedestrians. Around one lakh residents from Manali and Madhavaram areas expected to benefit.

Minister also inaugurated dog sterilisation centre at Chettimedu village in Manali zone, Ward 17, built at ₹1.61 crore on 3,582 square feet with 26 rooms including kennels, operation theatre, laboratory, kitchen and storage.

Minister inspected renovation works at Manali Lake, Madhavaram Lake and Kadapakkam Lake under various funding sources.

The 261-metre-long, 10-metre-wide bridge with 1.5-metre footpath over Puzhal surplus canal opens next week after three-year legal limbo over 948 sqm private land acquisition. Work started January 2020 at ₹22 crore cost to improve connectivity for Manali and Madhavaram. Original 15-month contract period ending April 2021 extended due to Covid-19 lockdown, land acquisition delays, 900-mm diameter desalination pipeline shifting, and water inundation during monsoons. Bridge will ease chronic traffic snarls, especially monsoon disruptions over the canal pathway.

A burst in a major pipeline carrying drinking water from Puzhal water treatment plant occurred early Monday on GNT Road. Chennai Metrowater commenced repair work to replace the damaged 1,200 mm diameter section.

Affected areas without piped water supply until 10 p.m. September 9:

• Zone 2: Vadaperumbakkam, Kosapur, Chettimedu
• Zone 3: wards 25, 26, 28 to 31
• Zone 4: all areas covered by Patel Nagar distribution station
• Zone 6: wards 71 and 72

Work commenced to dig GNT Road stretch and replace damaged pipeline section. Additional water tankers deployed to affected areas.

Kumaran Colony in Red Hills has been flooded for two days. The locality has around 30 houses built on a flood plain meant for discharging excess water from Puzhal lake to Red Hills. District administration announced evacuation; 20 families moved out, 10 refused. Tiruvallur Collectorate deployed drones from Tamil Nadu Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Corporation to deliver relief materials and rations to residents remaining in their homes. Chennai Corporation and State Highways department are providing a temporary canal to relieve water stagnating in adjacent Vadaperumbakkam. Social activist noted phenomenal commercial and residential development occurred after Madhavaram-Red Hills highway construction 20 years ago and flyover construction in 2005, but absence of proper storm-water drain facility on the highway has caused flooding. Residents complained of lacking proper drainage; activist urged State Highways department to construct macro drains on both sides of the road when planning to increase road height.