Koyambedu Market Complex Inundated After Rain Due To Storm Water Drain Delays

On Sunday, June 28, 2026, a spell of rain in Chennai led to the severe inundation of the Koyambedu Market Complex, highlighting public health concerns and delays in a ₹17 crore storm-water drain project. The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) attributed the waterlogging to incomplete construction on the market's drain network.

Traders and visitors voiced their grievances on social media throughout Sunday, complaining about the severe inundation across the market complex. Visitors specifically pointed out that sewage was mixing with the stagnant rainwater in the area, which they warned was increasing public health risks for everyone visiting the market.

Following the surge of complaints on social media, the CMDA took action by installing motor pumps to bail out the accumulated water. Although the water inside the market complex had receded by Sunday evening, several stretches of roads in the surrounding area continued to suffer from water stagnation.

Senior CMDA officials explained that the storm-water drain network inside the Koyambedu Market Complex remains incomplete due to a delay in obtaining traffic police clearance. This clearance is required to implement the drain construction work across the highway stretch of Poonamallee High Road. The connection is essential to successfully drain the water from the market area to the nearest waterway.

The infrastructure project, which was carried out at an estimated cost of ₹17 crore, was originally announced by the DMK government in the Assembly in 2024. However, the ongoing delay in completing the work across the highway stretch has left the Koyambedu Market Complex highly vulnerable to flooding, as seen during Sunday's rainfall.