Wreaking havoc on Chennai streets now, even short journeys risk- Whats happening?
Have you recently travelled from Thoraipakkam to Kottivakkam in south Chennai? Was your journey smooth?
The bitter fact is that there are repeated diggings on the roads and delayed restoration. This has been leading to many issues for the residents now. It is worthy to note that unfinished underground works have been wreaking havoc on the streets in Chennai. With Monsoon nearing, this has severely exposed Chennai`s slow response to road repairs.
Under the TURIF and NSMT schemes, in the current FY as many as 3937 roads covering 648kms are scheduled to be re-laid at an estimated cost of Rs 489cr.Till now, 1897 roads have been completed at 309km. The work has been progressing at a very slow pace. Many road stretches are now in poor condition.
In the OMR Thoraipakkam in south Chennai, CMWSSB or Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage works has been doing underground sewage works for the past 4 months. It was brought out by the residents that the works were incomplete. They have complained that the roads were filled with debris and sand and were not properly restored. Last year, GCC re-laid the roads but within 6 months the roads were dug up again for SWD works.
As per a resident from Kottivakkam it was clear that after the works carried out by TANGEDCO and CMWSSB the roads were left with mud and potholes etc. She added that frequent accidents take place and even walking would be difficult on rainy days.
After CMWSSB dug out the road stretches for pipelines, the north Chennai roads have become poor and the residents are unhappy. It was later brought out by a resident from Royapuram that even small rains could lead to water stagnation. He added that after the heavy rains the water logging would remain for several days.
It was mentioned by a senior official from Chennai Corporation that CMWSSB and TANGEDCO have been given instructions to complete the works by 31st of August. The official hinted that from September restoration works would start on the bus route roads and would get completed by the end of September
