Chennai’s landmark drive-in haunt set to close

At the time, the drive-in was indeed a unique experience, what with the entire parking lot acting as the restaurant and the novel contraptions for holding glasses attached to the vehicle doors. Woodlands was the Madras version of the coffee house concept, where people could sit for hours, talking and reading. The hotel also provided green relief in the hot and sultry city. Not surprisingly, it was an instant hit. Soon, it attracted patrons like film stars, writers and journalists, most flocking in for a chat under the tree over coffee and dosas.

Through the 1960s, ‘70s and ‘80s, the hotel remained popular among local masses. Later, as the city grew and several hotels came up offering cuisines from across the world, Woodlands continued to remain popular, mainly due to the huge parking space between the heavy tree cover.

However, all this is set to end with the government deciding to take back the land that it claimed the society had given on lease without prior permission. As is usual with such cases, there was a political twist to the case as well. When the government tried to take possession of the land during the earlier regime of Karunanidhi, there was a rumour that an AIADMK leader was helping the hotel management, prompting an unusual interest from the government. However, it soon fizzled out, when the leader in question, current state minister K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran, joined the DMK.

Finally, last week, the high court accepted the government position on the case and asked the owners to hand over the land. Though the owners have file a review application, not many expect a favourable verdict.

On April 11, visitors to Woodlands were greeted by a notice stating that the gates had been sealed and vehicles not permitted. It was the end of an era, and the patrons made it known through blog postings tinged with nostalgia and a sense of loss.