Traders lament closure of businesses due to delay in civic infrastructure projects

The completion of the Ganesapuram flyover is vital to providing a smooth commute from Dr. Ambedkar College Road to Perambur Barracks Road.

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Traders in the city have raised concern about closure of businesses and employees’ loss of livelihood owing to delays in civic infrastructure projects.

Over 300 traders in north Chennai have alleged that many of them are on the verge of business closure due to the delay in the completion of Ganesapuram bridge.

S. Saravanan, who owns a fuel outlet said sales had reduced by 70% due to the delay in completing the bridge. “We submitted a complaint to the Chief Minister’s Office. Following this, GCC officials sent a response, pointing to issues in land compensation and delay in shifting of cables by TNEB, besides Metrowater work… We request the civic agencies to improve coordination to complete the work before the northeast monsoon. Otherwise the flood risk is likely to rise. More businesses will close,” he said.

The Federation of North Chennai Residents Welfare Associations president K. Shanmugham said the inordinate delay in the construction of the Ganesapuram Flyover in Vyasarpadi, a long-pending infrastructure project, has caused severe hardship to local residents and business owners for more than two and a half years.

“The project was originally announced in 2022, with a sanctioned budget of ₹176 crore. Construction began in January 2023, with a projected completion time of 24 months. At one point, the Chennai Corporation even assured the residents that with support from IIT-Madras and the use of advanced construction technology, the work would be completed ahead of schedule — in just 18 months,” he said.

However, as of today, only about 20% of the project has been completed, a result of poor execution and inadequate planning. Despite an on-site inspection by the Chief Minister in November 2024, and the subsequent closure of the Vyasarpadi-Pulianthope link road to fast-track construction, progress has remained dismal, according to Mr. Shanmugham.

“The revised deadline of April 2025 now seems increasingly unlikely to be met. This prolonged delay has had far-reaching consequences – local businesses are suffering, unable to sustain operations, pay employees, or manage daily logistics.

The Ganesapuram subway, which is among the most flood-prone areas in Chennai, remains vulnerable and ill-equipped to face monsoon, Mr. Shanmugham said. Traffic congestion near the Basin Bridge has worsened significantly. The completion of this flyover is critical, as it would provide a smoother link from Dr. Ambedkar College Road to Perambur Barracks Road.

In T. Nagar, traders of Rajabader Street have complained about the loss of livelihood and poor sales because of the delay in restoring the road damaged by Metrowater works in the area.

Purasai Vybarigal Sangam president S. Nagabushanam said the delay in completing infrastructure projects has affected businesses and the livelihood of several employees on stretches such as Perambur Barracks Road, Strahans Road and Kellys. “We have protested the delay. But the work is progressing only at a slow pace,” he said.