Residents Urge Action as Plants Wither in Kalakshetra Colony’s GCC Park

At the busy crossroads where Karunanidhi Road meets MGR Road in Thiruvanmiyur, a modest green space—GCC park—offers a breath of fresh air for residents of Kalakshetra Colony, Ward 179. The park, though small, is home to more than two dozen species of trees and shrubs, the most celebrated being the seasonal mandaarai that blossoms like a quiet celebration each year.

For the people who stroll there before work or after dinner, the park is more than a patch of grass; it’s a sanctuary. "It’s the only walkers’ park for miles around," says Bharati Sadasivam, an executive committee member of the Kalakshetra Colony Welfare Association (KCWA). "You can breathe, you can watch the kids play, you can just be."

Unfortunately, that serenity is being choked by a very human problem: water. The park’s built‑in sprinklers, meant to keep the foliage healthy, have largely stopped doing their job. Some heads never turn on at all, while the few that do sputter weakly, leaving puddles in isolated spots and neglecting the rest of the beds.

When The Hindu’s Downtown team visited on the evening of July 17, the garden’s overhead sprinklers sprang to life as if on cue, dumping a sudden downpour that washed over the pathways. Yet the ground‑level sprinklers—those responsible for nourishing the soil—remained stubbornly still. "They’re essentially sedentary," Bharati noted, echoing the frustration felt by many regulars.

Residents have largely relied on the occasional natural showers to rescue the wilting plants, but those brief rains are a mercy rather than a solution. The once‑vibrant greenery now looks lackluster, with leaves drooping and blossoms fading. "It’s heartbreaking to see a place we love turn brown," Bharati added, her voice betraying a mix of concern and determination.

The KCWA has formally appealed to the Greater Chennai Corporation, urging an urgent audit of the irrigation system and swift repairs. Their request is simple: get the sprinklers working again so the park can regain its former glory and continue serving the community that depends on it.

Until the pipes are fixed, locals hope for more spontaneous rain and perhaps a bit of community spirit—neighbors taking turns to water the most vulnerable plants. After all, a thriving park isn’t just about machinery; it’s about the people who cherish it.