Kannagi Nagar encroachments on pavements and Open Space Reservation (OSR) land have triggered a political dispute, with residents seeking the removal of commercial structures and the Greater Chennai Corporation promising an inspection of the area.
The immediate dispute centres on OSR land on 15th Cross Street, where residents alleged that two local functionaries of the TVK had erected a shed for paint and tinkering work. S Somu, a resident of the street, said the structure was built opposite his tenement and that the individuals claimed to have obtained permission from Sholinganallur MLA ‘ECR’ P Saravanan.
Somu said residents had opposed the construction and submitted complaints through the GCC’s public grievance redressal portal. According to him, the absence of action by civic officials increased residents’ suspicion that political functionaries and officials were acting in collusion. No civic finding confirming collusion was cited in the report.
The dispute has also exposed a shortage of recreational space in the neighbourhood. Somu said Ward 196 did not have a play area for children, forcing families to travel to other localities to access parks. Residents have asked the corporation to clear the alleged encroachments and develop the OSR land as a children’s play area.
Councillor Ashwini Karuna alleged that an activist and a TVK functionary had occupied open spaces along the footpath with the support of the Sholinganallur MLA. The councillor said letters had been sent to the corporation’s zonal officer seeking action against the alleged encroachments. He further alleged that some public spaces were being rented or leased after occupation.
Saravanan denied the allegation that the shops on the encroached land had been established by his party functionaries. He said that if anyone was using the party’s name for personal benefit, strict action would be taken against them.
Residents said the problem extended beyond the disputed OSR parcel. They alleged that more than 80 shops had occupied public space along Kannagi Nagar 1st, 2nd and 3rd Main Roads and Ezhil Nagar Main Road. One resident estimated that each shop occupied nearly 200 square feet and alleged that wastewater from the structures was being discharged directly into stormwater drains.
The residents also questioned the disappearance of a designated vending zone that the civic body had reportedly allotted a year earlier. Their complaints point to a wider distinction between temporary street vending and permanent commercial structures occupying footpaths, with the latter restricting pedestrian movement and placing additional pressure on drainage infrastructure.
GCC Joint Commissioner (Works) S Saravanan said he would instruct Regional Deputy Commissioner (South) Aftab Rasool to inspect Kannagi Nagar and take necessary action. The inspection is expected to establish the status of the OSR land, the alleged pavement occupations and the structures identified by residents.
