Due to an inordinate delay in the construction of five small culverts on Surapet Main Road in Ambattur Old Town (OT), the stretch gets slushy and slippery even after a mild downpour.
Carried out by State Highways Department, the work is aimed at ensuring discharge of excess rainwater in Puzhal lake into the Coovum river, through water channels.
A number of private and government schools, marriage halls and markets are located in the neighbourhood.
Due to the ongoing work, the width of the road has reduced drastically, forcing pedestrians to walk in the carriageway.
In addition, lack of streetlights and warning signboards about the work-in-progress poses a threat to motorists at night.
A few hundred metres from the site, a clogged stormwater drain overflows even after a mild shower, turning the stretch slushy and slippery.
As a result, traffic snarels are common on the road are common. Many motorcyclists have had a fall on this road. The stretch is a key route for MTC buses between Ambattur and Red Hills.
“With hundreds of schoolchildren and office-goers using the stretch, at least the completed portion should be re-laid to ensure the safety of road-users,” says K. Ramesh, a resident of Ambattur.
“Safety measures pertianing to the construction of the culverts will be taken soon,” says a State Highways official.