Chennai: The recent work in Palavanthangal subway does not seem to have helped motorists as they still struggle to pass through it. Motorists say accidents have spiked in recent times due to un-levelled surface.
The subway provides access to Nanganallur, Vanuvampet, Moovarasampet, Palavanthangal, Southern Sector Inner Ring Road and Grand Southern Trunk Road. At least 30,000 people use the subway on a daily basis.
“It has two-inch deep potholes right in the centre and adding to the woes, it is impossible to find them as they are often filled with water, irrespective of whether it rains or not. To avoid the potholes, motorists unmindfully swerve left and right, causing accidents,” said K. Balamurugan, a resident of Nanganallur. Numerous residents said they had complained to the State Highways department (which maintains the subway), several times and have been receiving only promises in response for over five years.
Recently at around 12.30 at night, a motorist died after he rammed into a lorry while trying to avoid a pothole.
Despite regular accidents, the subway still does not have any speed-breakers. When coupled with patchy roads and poor illumination, it is lethal. When contacted, an official associated with the state highways department said they would reconstruct the subway in a few months and also work towards illumination and water seepage.
