Residents of Madhanangkuppam and Puthagaram near Kolathur are waiting in near desperation for a bridge across Korattur surplus course to be opened for traffic.
Until a few years ago, these localities, which come under the Ambattur and Madhavaram zones of Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC), were prone to flooding as the Korattur surplus course was not a defined channel.
While the Water Resources Department (WRD) constructed a bridge on Kadapa Road, Kolathur, GCC undertook the work of replacing a culvert with a double-lane bridge on Water Canal Road, Kolathur three years ago.
Branching off from Inner Ring Road, Water Canal Road links Korattur and Kolathur to many other heavily-populated, which include Puthagaram, Madhanangkuppam, Kallikuppam and Surapet.
Though the work on the double-lane bridge is over except for a few loose ends that ought to be tied, the facility has been waiting to be opened for traffic for a long time. Corporation sources say work on the bridge has been completed. The approach roads to the bridge have to be finished. “We are waiting for Chennai Metrowater to finish its work on the road,” said an official.
Despite blockades having been placed on the double-lane bridge to check traffic movement, a large number of motorcyclists are already using it.
R. Murugan, president of Madura Madhanangkuppam Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam, says people have to take a detour of nearly one kilometre through bumpy stretches of Kadapa Road and Bharath Nagar to reach Water Canal Road. As the road is narrow, motorists vie for space, especially during rainy days.
“The bridge is ready to be opened for traffic. But, only a few people are involved in the work. The civic body must complete the project soon,” he added.
The century-old conduit lines carrying raw water from Red Hills lake to Kilpauk Water Works run through the road. Work on improving the conduit lines and interconnection works are in progress.
“The work will be completed in a month, and then we will blacktop the road and provide street lights,” the official added.