Delay in relaying roads puts motorists and cyclists at risk, say residents

A damaged portion of Anna Main Road in K.K. Nagar.
| Photo Credit: B. VELANKANNI RAJ

Owing to the delay in restoration of damaged roads in various zones of the city, residents have complained about increasing risk to motorists and cyclists.

K.S. Rajendran, president of the Chennai K.K. Nagar Residents’ Welfare Association, said stretches such as Rajamannar Salai had been damaged because of heavy vehicle movement in the area. “The overflow of sewage is also an issue in K.K. Nagar. Even during minor showers, the sewage begins to overflow. Heavy vehicle movement on such stretches causes damage to roads. The infrastructure is 40 years old. It is inadequate,” he said.

Ward 88 councillor G.V. Nagavallli said stretches such as Park Road in Anna Nagar West Extension were damaged owing to water stagnation during the rain. “The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has started taking measures to restore such low-lying stretches. Residents on 12 roads in Anna Nagar West Extension demanded that the GCC relay these stretches. We have relaid 46 roads,” she said.

Ward 104 councillor T.V. Shemmozhi said stretches such as Anna Nagar 13^th Main Road and Sixth Avenue were damaged because of being dug up by entities, such as Torrent Gas, for city gas distribution.

According to estimates, over 4,000 roads in the city have been damaged. Following complaints from residents, senior GCC officials conducted meetings to assess the road damage in city zones. GCC Commissioner J. Kumaragurubaran said the work would begin only by the end of March.

In addition to GCC roads, highways in the city and its suburbs have also been damaged during the Northeast monsoon.

Cyclists have complained that relaying of East Coast Road after milling has been delayed. Cyclist S. Anbazhagan Sadasivam said bad roads were a deterrent for those who pursued cycling for fitness.

“Many stretches, such as LB Road, have potholes that damage cycles, which are expensive. Cyclists are worried about potholes in areas such as Mandaveli. Even on Kamarajar Salai, near the War Memorial, there is a pothole; another one near Kotturpuram bridge also poses high risk to cyclists,” Mr. Sadasivam said.