Chennai: The city witnessed two major developments on Tuesday — one highlighting the rising anxieties within the IT workforce, and the other bringing long-awaited relief to commuters. On one side of the city, the Union of IT & ITES Employees (UNITE) staged a protest against Tata Consultancy Services’ (TCS) reported mass layoffs. On the other, government officials confirmed that the long-delayed Radha Nagar-Chromepet subway project is finally nearing completion, promising smoother traffic flow in one of the most congested corridors.
Protest Against TCS Layoffs
The Union of IT & ITES Employees (UNITE) gathered in Chennai to oppose what they described as a massive retrenchment drive by India’s largest IT services company, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). According to UNITE representatives, TCS has begun the process of laying off around 12,000 mid- and senior-level employees, citing restructuring needs.
Union member Janani, who addressed the protest, alleged that the real intent behind the layoffs is to replace experienced employees with fresh recruits who are hired at 80% to 85% lower salaries. “TCS is targeting senior and managerial-level staff. If the current trend continues, nearly 30,000 to 40,000 employees could lose their jobs in the coming months,” she warned.
The union strongly condemned this practice, arguing that instead of discarding employees who have given years of service to the company, TCS should invest in reskilling and upskilling them to meet the demands of emerging technologies such as AI, cloud computing, and automation.
A press release issued by UNITE pointed to the company’s strong financial performance to back its claims. The statement noted that TCS reported revenues of ₹2.55 lakh crore, an operating profit margin of 24.3%, and declared a dividend of ₹45,588 crore in the last financial year. “When profits are soaring and dividends are distributed generously, slashing jobs cannot be justified,” the release stated.
The union further criticized what it called “obscene” pay hikes at the top level while the average employee is denied even modest increments. “The management continues to reward senior executives and top brass while ordinary employees are discarded in the name of cost-cutting,” the statement read.
The union also expressed disappointment at the government’s silence on the issue. Despite awarding public contracts worth billions to the company, authorities have not intervened to stop what the protesters view as unfair labor practices.
For many employees present at the protest, the layoffs represent not just a financial blow but also a breach of trust. “We have worked tirelessly, especially during the pandemic, when IT employees kept the systems running from their homes. Now we are being told we are expendable,” said one participant.
Relief for Commuters
While one section of the city raised its voice in protest, another celebrated a breakthrough in infrastructure. After over a decade of delays, the long-pending railway subway at LC-27 in Chromepet is finally nearing completion. Officials confirmed that the subway, which connects Radha Nagar to GST Road, will open to the public in the first week of September.
The project, originally launched in 2010, has been one of the most demanded infrastructural upgrades in the region. For decades, the level crossing at Radha Nagar has been a nightmare for commuters. Each time the railway gates closed, traffic piled up on both Radha Nagar Main Road and the busy GST Road, leaving vehicles parked bumper-to-bumper. The delays not only caused frustration but also led to frequent accidents.
Now, with nearly 90% of the work completed on the 250-metre-long and seven-metre-wide subway, residents can finally see light at the end of the tunnel. The project also includes a three-metre-wide pedestrian pathway, which will allow people direct access to Chromepet railway station and its ticket counters. In a commuter-friendly move, buses will be able to drop passengers close to the subway entrance, enabling them to walk directly into the station platforms.
Officials said the subway is being designed to support two-way traffic, addressing a key public demand. To make this possible, an additional 70-metre stretch of railway land was acquired, and the GST Road bus stand is being shifted slightly closer to the station platform. This adjustment will ensure smoother entry and exit for both four-wheelers and buses.
A Project Long in the Making
The Chromepet subway project has had a turbulent history. Though first announced in 2010, it remained stalled for almost a decade due to land acquisition hurdles, funding issues, and lack of political will. Matters began to change only after MLA I Karunanidhi filed a petition, leading to a court order directing the resumption of work. In 2019, a ₹17-crore tender was floated, but progress remained painfully slow.
Momentum picked up only in 2021, when the DMK government revived the project and expedited construction. Since then, authorities have pushed through the bottlenecks, and today, the long-delayed project stands on the verge of completion.
Earlier this week, MLA Karunanidhi, accompanied by officials from the Railways, State Highways Department, and the Tambaram City Municipal Corporation (TCMC), inspected the construction site. Officials assured him that the remaining work would be wrapped up within two weeks.
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Residents of Radha Nagar, who have endured the chaos of traffic jams for years, are relieved. “This subway has been a demand for more than a decade. We are glad that the project will finally be a reality,” said N. Ashokan, a local resident.
A City of Contrasts
Tuesday’s events in Chennai capture the city’s dual realities: on one side, employees fear job insecurity despite working for one of the world’s largest IT firms; on the other, everyday commuters look forward to long-awaited infrastructural relief.
The protests against TCS layoffs underscore the vulnerability of India’s IT workforce, where the race to cut costs often collides with employees’ livelihoods. Meanwhile, the upcoming Chromepet subway demonstrates how persistent civic demands and government intervention can eventually deliver long-term benefits for the public.
As Chennai balances economic pressures and infrastructural progress, both stories reflect a common theme — the need for equity and accountability, whether in boardrooms or public works.
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