Chennai Corporation renames major roads ahead of polls

Chennai: Ahead of state assembly elections, Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) council on Friday passed a resolution renaming key roads and civic facilities across the city to honour leaders and address community petitions.

Loop Road will be renamed Sindhanai Sirpi Singaravelar Salai, honouring the freedom fighter who founded India's first trade union. A founder of the Communist Party of India, he led the self-respect movement in the Madras Presidency that fought for equal rights for backward castes. The proposal to rename Marina's Loop Road originated from the local fishermen community in 2024.


"Initially, we requested ECR or Kamarajar Road to be renamed after Singaravelar Salai, but they were not considered," said South Indian Fishermen Welfare Association president K Bharathi. "In Jan 2024, we filed a petition to rename Loop Road to Sindhanai Sirpi Singaravelar Salai. This will be a tribute to the leader and the trade unions," he said.

Thiruvottriyur High Road will become Vallalar High Road, in honour of the Tamil saint and poet Ramalinga Swamigal, better known as Thiruvarutprakasa Vallalar. The proposal came from the state govt.

Additionally, new sports complexes and community halls under construction will be named after prominent leaders. The names approved by GCC include B R Ambedkar, and the late Tamil Nadu chief ministers C N Annadurai and M Karunanidhi.

The sports complex being built in Sunnambu Kalvai, Tondiarpet, will be named Kalaignar Centenary Sports Complex.

The community hall, under construction in Teynampet, will be named Perarignar Anna Marriage Hall, while the one on Dr Besant Road in Royapettah will be named Annal Ambedkar Marriage Hall.

Some residents were not happy with the name change. "Everyone used the hall as it was affordable. The name change will make it appear as if it is meant for specific communities," said N Abhilaasha of Royapettah.

A senior GCC official said the new names were based on petitions from the public and councillors. "They have to be approved by the govt," he said.