Temporary stalls selling Golu dolls on North Mada Street and South Mada Street in Mylapore have worsened traffic congestion ahead of Navaratri, with residents seeking coordinated action from the Greater Chennai Corporation and Traffic Police.
The two streets are already affected by ongoing Metro Rail construction, which has reduced available road space and forced motorists to take detours. The addition of roadside stalls has narrowed the space further, making movement difficult for vehicles and pedestrians, according to a report by DT Next.
North Mada Street and South Mada Street are important routes for residents of Mylapore and Mandaveli. They also provide access to the Kapaleeswarar Temple, which draws large numbers of devotees, particularly during the morning and evening periods.
The streets are commercial corridors lined with jewellery shops, hotels and other establishments. As festive shopping and temple visits increase ahead of Navaratri, the combination of construction activity, temporary stalls, shoppers, devotees and regular traffic has intensified pressure on the already constrained roads.
Residents said the reduced carriageway was affecting people using the streets for different purposes at the same time. Arumugam, a Mylapore resident, said the convergence of temple visitors, shoppers and daily commuters had made the situation difficult to manage.
Another resident, Usha Rani, called for Traffic Police personnel to be deployed on both Mada streets until the Navaratri season ends. She also urged the Corporation and police to regulate the temporary stalls jointly and ensure that adequate space remains available for pedestrians and motorists.
The congestion highlights the operational challenge of managing temporary commercial activity on roads that are simultaneously serving as construction-affected transport routes and access roads to a major temple. In such locations, the placement of stalls affects not only vehicle speeds but also pedestrian movement and access to businesses.
Residents have asked the authorities to take immediate steps to regulate vehicle movement and prevent further obstruction on the two streets. Festive shopping and temple visits are expected to continue, while the area remains affected by Metro Rail work.
