Residents affected by rising road levels demand action

Residents living below road level, some facing costs up to ₹40 lakh to elevate their floors, rallied in Chennai demanding action to curb rising road levels. Organized by the anti-corruption group Arappor Iyakkam, the protest near Rajarathinam Stadium in Egmore called for measures to prevent further escalation of road elevations across Tamil Nadu.

The group blamed contractors for failing to level damaged roads before resurfacing, leading to submerged buildings during heavy rains, sunken manholes, and risks for motorcyclists. A seven-point list of demands, including property compensation, was presented at the event. The organization sought public funds for raising footpaths, manholes, and electrical boxes, as well as mandatory milling before resurfacing, measuring road levels before and after work, and publishing the data.

They also called for photographic and video records of excavation, up to ₹40 lakh compensation per affected household, and an expert committee to handle ongoing cases. Coordinators Jayaram Venkatesan, Radhakrishnan, Madhuvanthi, and Zahir Hussain addressed the protest, urging the State government to issue instructions to all departments handling road construction.