Chennai Walkway Woes Rise Amid Metro Works

Chennai’s ongoing metro expansion, pitched as a transformative mobility upgrade, is drawing criticism for the condition of temporary pedestrian walkways erected around construction zones. Thousands of daily users say the narrow, dimly lit passages not only disrupt commutes but also compromise safety, particularly for women, raising concerns about how major infrastructure projects can be executed without marginalising pedestrians.

These walkways — fenced off using tall metal barricades and often barely a metre wide — were installed around several underground metro station worksites as part of Phase II, a ₹63,246-crore project scheduled for completion by 2028. Officials estimate around ₹30 crore has already been spent on constructing the pathways, but lighting and CCTV infrastructure were not included in the budget. For now, users say the experience is far from safe or dignified. A medical worker in Mandaveli described the daily walk as a “gamble”, explaining that the area is poorly lit and frequented by groups drinking alcohol behind the barricades. Others point to sharp bends that obscure visibility and prevent passers-by from calling for help if confronted. In T Nagar, barricades installed up to six feet high have created dead zones where pedestrians cannot be seen from outside, amplifying anxiety for women and elderly users.

Retailers and hospitals located along the barricaded paths say foot traffic has dropped since the arrangements were put in place, with some businesses reporting lower visibility and access. A tea vendor near a busy junction noted that potential customers “walk right past without knowing a shop exists there anymore”. Officials at the metro corporation acknowledge the varying condition of walkways but say the arrangements are temporary and that space constraints limit design choices in dense neighbourhoods. A senior project executive also admitted that there is no comprehensive manual in India for creating pedestrian-safe zones during metro construction, leaving contractors to follow general funding guidelines rather than standardised urban design requirements.

Transport and urban safety researchers disagree with the status quo, suggesting that wider pathways, steel railings rather than opaque barricades, functional lighting and CCTV could significantly improve user experience without hindering construction timelines. They argue that makeshift infrastructure should not become an afterthought when cities commit to multi-year megaprojects that directly intersect with everyday mobility. Chennai Metro Rail Ltd has indicated that field inspections will be conducted to review the walkways, though timelines for improvements remain unclear. As Indian cities transition to large-scale transit-oriented mobility systems, the challenge lies in balancing construction efficiency with equitable street access. Temporary does not need to mean unsafe — and the future of urban India will depend on whether pedestrian dignity is treated as a core component of mobility, not a trade-off.

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Chennai Walkway Woes Rise Amid Metro Works