Chennai Corporation directs engineers to undertake milling before relaying roads to prevent rise in levels

The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has directed its engineers to remove the existing bituminous surface through milling before relaying roads wherever necessary, to prevent road levels from rising with repeated resurfacing as well as to ensure proper drainage.

In a circular dated October 27, 2026, Commissioner G.S. Sameeran said engineers must inspect the condition and levels of roads, their slope, and drainage arrangements, as well as the levels of adjoining properties, before starting work. Repeatedly adding fresh layers of bitumen and raising road levels must be avoided, he said.

The circular followed a demonstration by and a letter from Arappor Iyakkam, an anti-corruption NGO, to the Additional Chief Secretary, Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department, on October 6, and subsequent instructions from the latter.

Engineers have been asked to use mechanical milling machines to remove the existing surface to a depth generally equivalent to the thickness of the new layer. They must check and record the depth and quantity of material removed before relaying the road. The surface must also be cleared of dust, loose stones, and debris before the new bitumen layer is laid. They must ensure that photographs of the milled surfaces are displayed at the work site.

Notably, the Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department recently issued orders to improve over 500 km of bituminous, cement concrete, and interlocking pavement roads under the Chief Minister’s Integrated Urban Development Mission (CMIUDM), 2026-2031. The common condition in all three orders was that urban local bodies must carry out road relaying works “without raising the existing road levels.”

Where machines cannot be used, particularly along road edges and around trees and manholes, the existing surface must be removed manually or with suitable equipment. Manhole covers, utility chambers, footpaths, and drains must be brought to the level of the finished road. Photographs of the milled surface must be kept at the work site.

The instructions apply to all relevant bituminous road works across Chennai. The GCC has asked engineers at all levels, contractors, and project management consultants to ensure compliance.