In what can be seen as a surprise, Sun News, a channel known for its proximity to the ruling DMK government – more so as its mouthpiece has posted news critical of the condition of a key road in North Chennai.
The report focused on the Royapuram–Kasimedu Junction Road, which remains dug up and unrepaired for over two months. The road was excavated for an underpass project, but work has stalled, and no restoration has taken place since. The post on its X handle described the site as resembling a “death pit” and carried a caption reading: “Is it the road? A pit of death? The people of North Chennai are suffering.”
The image in this post read, “North Chennai: Royapuram – Kasimedu Junction Road. People are angry that it looks like a death pit as it was dug 2 months ago for the underpass, but it has not been repaired yet. The people of North Chennai urged to repair the road as soon as possible as it is the main route through which thousands of people and students travel every day. People are worried because the dug-up road was newly laid a few months ago”
#NewsUpdate | சாலையா? மரண குழியா? ராயபுரம் – காசிமேடு சந்திப்பு சாலையின் நிலை குறித்து வட சென்னை மக்கள் வேதனை#SunNews | #RoadSafety | #VadaChennai | @PKSekarbabu | @PriyarajanDMK | @kgbias | @chennaicorp | @DrKalanidhiV | @idream_murthy pic.twitter.com/NrLHg3hBqS
— Sun News (@sunnewstamil) April 16, 2025
According to the channel, the damaged stretch was newly laid just a few months ago, raising questions among residents about planning and resource management. Locals expressed frustration that the road, a major route used daily by thousands of commuters and students, has become hazardous and impassable in places.
The report quoted residents urging immediate action, citing the high volume of traffic and the potential risk of accidents.
This coverage marks a rare instance of visible criticism from within the media traditionally aligned with the government which begs the question – is the Dravidian Model so bad that even the DMK’s mouthpiece, Sun News, has come to a point criticizing it?
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