Roads in many parts are in a shambles again after floods

Roads in many parts are in a shambles again after floods

Ever since Chennai Metro Rail Limited started building the massive phase II project, traffic congestion aside, commuters have been having roller-coaster rides on the roads in many parts of the city. There was some much-needed relief when the contractors relaid the roads in some parts just before monsoon. But this hasn’t lasted long and just after Cyclone Michaung hit the city, the condition of roads became pitiable again in many areas.

Be it Vadapalani, Valasaravakkam, Virugambakkam, Arcot Road, Perumbakkam or Sholinganallur, the condition of roads which were relaid or where patchwork was done has been far from satisfactory, commuters say.

The 116-km phase II commenced along Arcot Road a few years ago, as two stretches (Poonamallee-Porur and Porur-Power House) will be opened in another two years. After numerous complaints, roads were relaid recently. But commuters say it is a pity that only patchwork has been done in some parts and even that has been done poorly. The patchwork has already started disintegrating at some locations like Vadapalani and Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR).

S. Arumainathan, president, Virugambakkam Resident Welfare Association, says he travelled from Virugambakkam to Vadapalani a few days ago and it was a bumpy ride. “They have relaid roads but it has not been done professionally. The contractors have not planned the work well. On Kaliamman Koil Street, nothing has been done so far and it is a nightmare to walk or travel through that road,” he adds.

This affects not just senior citizens but also hundreds of schoolchildren in this area, he says. “They could trip and fall from their cycle. When they are spending thousands of crores on this project, the roads they lay should at least last a year until the next monsoon. Otherwise, it is a pointless exercise,” he adds.

The OMR stretch that already grapples with severe traffic congestion after the phase II construction work started also suffers from damaged roads. The situation has worsened after the recent monsoon and the flooding caused by Cyclone Michaung. Roads in areas, including Thoraipakkam, Perungudi and Kandanchavadi, are among the worst-affected; they need to be restored at the earliest, residents and commuters say.

Bad patches are many on the road, which slow down traffic. “During the rain, the concrete covers of the ducts were broken to drain the water. The covers have steel rods, and holes have appeared on the service lanes, which have also sunk at many places,” says Veeravel, a resident.