Chennai: With the north east monsoon imminent, city residents are worried sick about the slow pace of storm water drain work. Nowhere else has this concern been more profound than among residents living along the ill-maintained arterial Arcot road.
The 12-km long road, which connects Nungambakkam with Porur junction, is one of the busiest stretches in the city. Maintained by the state highways department, the road caters to a plethora of commuters using public and private vehicles and pedestrians.
Yet it is the most ill-equipped of roads in the city. Annamalai Raja, a resident of Virugambakkam, said that the roads were highly dangerous for commuters on foot, primarily because there are no pavements to walk on. “There is no footpath on either side for more than 70 per cent of the road between Porur junction and Vadapalani junction. In the remaining area, the footpath cannot be used at all as it is either encroached by shops or it is broken,” he said.
Several schools have made the vicinity around the Arcot road their home. In the absence of a footpath and also inadequate traffic signals, children risk their lives attempting to cross the road and walking closely among onrushing vehicles. Murugaiyyan, a parent who was walking his son home from school, told DC that they were concerned about their safety. “I cannot afford to have my son walk alone from home because the vehicles are always speeding and it is a risk," he said.
No footpaths mean no storm water drains. As such, even the slightest amount of rainfall inundates the road. Yesterday's scanty rainfall left its waterlogged aftermath on Arcot road in several locations. Pedestrians were seen walking the tightrope routine amid vehicles, with all the drama ensuring chaos on the road.
While Arcot road is technically 'maintained' by the highways department, the many potholes found out here tell a different tale. Broken asphalt, unevenly patched up bitumen contribute to a bumpy ride for the motorists while all the dirt that passing vehicles kick up ensure that certain locations on the road become dust bowl.
G. Selva, CPI (M) Virugambakkam area secretary told DC that despite having taken up these issues with the highways department, the residents have often been given a muted response by officials. “Officials are wary of doing anything. The drainpipes are too old and inadequate considering the development that this area has undergone in the last decade.
They should conduct GIS mapping of the entire road and then redevelop the road with all its basic facilities,” he said. When contacted, highways officials told DC that a proposal is being readied to improve the stretch. “Around 5 km of the Arcot road belongs to the corporation. In our portion, we have plans to conduct end-to-end improvement by erecting median, laying drains, creating footpaths. We are scrutinising the proposal and will soon be sending it across for approval from the state government,” said a senior highways official.
