Residents demand the demolition of road encroachments, organize protests

Arakkonam city police and officials pacified the agitated residents, who dispersed after the authorities assured them of the action. | Photo credit: Special arrangement

Residents of Ramdass Nagar blocked the Arakkonam-Sholinghur (SH 61A) main road on Saturday and demanded the demolition of obstacles on the common road. They also demanded an access road to public facilities like the bus terminus and railway station in Arakkonam town.

Residents said that Ramdass Nagar is part of Kainoor Village Panchayat. The residential area is surrounded by Winterpet, Ambedkar Nagar and Jothinagar.

“We have been using the shared road in the area for many years to reach the central parts of the city and to reach public facilities like banks, hospitals and bus terminus. Demolition of the obstructions on the road will help us,” said Y. Vinoth, a resident.

Residents said encroachments, mostly houses, blocked the road.

They said the trail was also completely closed after a resident on the trail erected a fence on one section of the stretch. As a result, residents had to take a three kilometer detour to reach Ramdass Nagar and surrounding areas. Students, farmers, senior citizens and traders were affected due to the encroachments on the trail.

Repeated complaints were made to the panchayat officials but no action was taken. Around nine o’clock in the morning, residents blocked the section and demanded the demolition of the encroachment.

Arakkonam city police and officials pacified the agitated residents, who dispersed after the authorities assured them of the action. Panchayat officials said a detailed survey of the road would be conducted to assess the availability of government land.

Accordingly, an estimate would be prepared for the construction of a new section to connect Ramdass Nagar with the Arakkonam – Sholinghur main road. Panchayat officials said District Collector N. Priya Ravichandran would be informed about the need to demolish encroachments on the trail and acquire government land for creating a new section in the village.

Published – 24 October 2026 23:50 IST