Chennai: For nearly eight months, the MC Road in Old Washermanpet, one of North Chennai’s busiest business clusters, has been dug up to lay a new water pipeline. The Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) is carrying out the work. It’s part of the GCC’s “Complete Street Project.” Due to constant potholes and unpaved stretches, traders and residents say the prolonged work has severely impacted movement and business operations in the area. Large sections of the road have been dug up to create a 10-12 ft deep pipeline trench. “Sales have plummeted because customers can’t park,” said the owner of a textile shop on the MC Road. “Customers who usually come by two-wheelers and small cargo vehicles are staying away.”
Several traders said the road has been in poor condition for over a year, and the ongoing pipeline work has only exacerbated the delays. Pedestrian movement has also been affected, especially since informal shops have encroached on both sides of the road, leaving little room for machinery to operate. Local civic activist Ramesh said the problem isn’t the project itself, but rather how it’s been implemented. He said, “This is a busy textile hub. Without proper planning, work slows down. Machines can’t operate smoothly because the edges are encroached. Workers leave midway and return after a few days or weeks. There’s no clear plan.” He added that traders and vendors often clash with the working team over commuting issues, causing delays. He said, “Everyone here depends on daily work. When the road is blocked, people protest. This also slows down work.” People say there are no boards or public information about the project, timeline, or next phase of work. Many traders are waiting for the corporation and CMWSSB to expedite the project.
