Chennai's Ambitious Health Walk Track Faces Major Obstacles from Encroachments and Neglect
In Chennai's Adyar area, an 8-kilometer stretch designed as a dedicated 'health walk track' is failing to deliver on its fitness-promising vision due to persistent encroachments and inadequate maintenance. The pathway, which starts and ends at an arch on Besant Avenue Road opposite Dr Muthulakshmi Park, was inaugurated two years ago by Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin with the goal of enabling walkers to complete approximately 10,500 steps and burn between 320 to 500 calories at a moderate pace. However, regular users now report that navigating the track demands more patience than physical stamina.
Walkers Forced to Dodge Multiple Hurdles Along the Route
Walkers using the track are frequently compelled to switch sides of the road every few hundred meters to avoid a series of obstacles. These include illegally parked vehicles, street vendors operating without proper permits, makeshift eateries with chairs and tables spilling onto the footpath, and even individuals using the pathway as a resting or sleeping area. The situation significantly undermines the track's intended purpose of providing a safe and uninterrupted environment for fitness enthusiasts.
Specific Problem Areas Highlight Systemic Issues
Just under 500 meters from the starting point, near the Karpagam Garden police booth on Besant Avenue Road, at least five two-wheelers were found parked outside a bike showroom on a recent Saturday, completely blocking the footpath. Police officials acknowledged the issue but stated that since these vehicles typically leave by nighttime, no immediate action was taken during daylight hours. Regular walker P Sadagopan expressed frustration, noting, "We walk in the park during the day. In some stretches, there is no footpath at all."
Approximately 2.5 kilometers away at GOCHS Colony, vehicles were observed parked directly beneath signage that clearly reads 'Nadaipadhai nadapadharke' (footpaths are meant only for walking). Along the section bordering the Theosophical Academy, a sanitation worker assigned to clean a nearby Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) toilet was seen resting in a tent erected on the footpath, citing a lack of available space inside the facility.
Initial Investment Fails to Translate into Sustained Maintenance
The health walk track traverses GCC wards 174 and 179, with an initial expenditure of about ₹1.5 crore allocated for enhancements such as covering electrical transformers with view cutters, implementing minor footpath improvements, and installing jogging sculptures and benches. Despite this substantial investment, GCC's Adyar zonal officer S Senthil Kumaran admitted, "After the initial expenditure, no additional funds were spent to smoothen or maintain the health walk track." This lack of ongoing financial commitment has contributed to the track's deteriorating condition.
Enforcement Efforts and Future Plans Under Scrutiny
The zonal office collected around ₹3.5 lakh in fines from ward 174 between October and December 2025 for various violations. However, walkers on the ground report that these penalties have made little tangible difference in curbing encroachments. In response, Velachery MLA JMH Aassan Maulaana has pledged to collaborate with the zonal officer to enhance the collection of fines and improve enforcement measures.
Meanwhile, GCC City Health Officer M Jagadeesan revealed that two additional potential 8-kilometer walk tracks are being identified in north and central Chennai, aiming to expand the city's fitness infrastructure. However, urban planner S Babjee expressed skepticism about the viability of such lengthy dedicated walking paths, arguing, "People walk everywhere. You can't expect someone from the outskirts to travel to Besant Nagar just for a 'health walk'." He emphasized that GCC must work more closely with residents' groups to promptly address minor footpath issues and ensure the functionality of existing infrastructure.
