Mylapore Residents to Hold Silent Protest for Nageswara Rao Park Restoration
On August 16 at 8 a.m., a silent protest will take place at Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore, Chennai. The gathering, led by park patrons and local residents, urges the Greater Chennai Corporation to complete unfinished work, protect the remaining trees, and return the park to its former green state.
The protest comes after months of growing concern over large-scale tree felling and extensive concretisation within the park, which residents say has diminished its ecological value and recreational appeal. The park, a key green space in the densely populated neighbourhood of Mylapore, has been undergoing a modernisation drive that critics argue has prioritised hard infrastructure over greenery.
Last month, Supraja Srinivasan, a resident of Luz Avenue, launched an online petition on Change.org calling on the civic body to halt further concretisation, re-evaluate the modernisation plan, and restore green spaces. The petition has gathered more than 5,600 signatures, reflecting significant public opposition to the current approach.
In an update to the petition, Srinivasan noted that despite repeated requests, the Greater Chennai Corporation has not responded. “Work at Nageswara Rao Park has stalled. Concrete patches remain unfinished, trees need urgent care, and with the monsoon approaching, delays will only make things worse,” she wrote. The monsoon season in Chennai typically brings heavy rains, and incomplete construction work could exacerbate waterlogging and soil erosion, further endangering the park's remaining trees.
The silent protest is designed to draw attention to these issues without disruption. Participants are requested to bring placards expressing their feelings about the park, creating a visual statement of community concern. Organisers emphasise that the event will be peaceful and non-confrontational, aimed at prompting dialogue with the civic body.
The gathering has received support from several organisations, including Nizhal, an NGO focused on tree conservation, the Alliance of Resident Welfare Associations, Prakruthi, and Spark. These groups have lent their backing to amplify the residents' call for accountability and action.
Residents have voiced frustration over what they describe as a lack of transparency and responsiveness from the Greater Chennai Corporation. The stalled work, they argue, is not only an aesthetic issue but a safety and environmental one. Unfinished concrete patches, exposed trenches, and inadequate drainage could become hazards during the monsoon, affecting all park users.
The protest also highlights a broader civic movement in Chennai for preserving urban green spaces. As the city expands, residents are increasingly pushing back against development projects that encroach on parks and tree cover. Nageswara Rao Park, with its tall trees and open lawns, has long served as a communal lung for Mylapore, and its degradation has struck a chord with many citizens.
The organisers hope that the silent protest will send a clear message: the community values its green spaces and expects the municipal authorities to act responsibly. They are asking for a revised plan that prioritises tree conservation, minimal concretisation, and sustainable park management. Until then, they say, they will continue to raise their voices, peacefully and persistently.
