Inordinate delay in re-laying Fifth Avenue Main Road, near Saravana Bhavan Hotel in Anna Nagar, is posing a threat to the safety of motorists. Due to a mere technicality involving the issue of a no-objection certificate (NOC) by the Chennai Metrowater, the Greater Chennai Corporation is unable to take up the work.
And now a blame game between the two government agencies is on.
The 60-feet-wide Fifth Avenue Main Road, which connects the northern and southern parts of the neighbourhood, was dug up three months ago by Chennai Metrowater to replace the existing old water pipelines in Shanthi Colony, Fourth Avenue, Second Avenue, Sixth Avenue and 13th and 14th Avenues.
The new pipelines were laid, mainly at night owing to heavy traffic on the stretch. As part of the pipe-laying work, a 20ft deep trench was dug on the Fifth Avenue Main Road, which is around 950 metres long. The Chennai Metrowater laid the new pipelines for a distance of 600 metres after a nod from the civic body.
The work on the 600 metres of the stretch was completed within a fortnight, three months ago. But the civic body is yet to relay the completed portion.
“Repeated requests to civic officials to relay the damaged stretch before monsoon were unsuccessful,” said S. Rajkumar, a resident of Anna Nagar.
After a few minor accidents on the damaged portion of the stretch since last month (October), civic officials of Zone – 8 (Anna Nagar) hurriedly levelled the damaged portion with blue metal and construction debris making it more risky for motorists as the stretch had become uneven.
Corporation officials said lack of funds with the zone was the reason for not re-laying the entire damaged stretch.
“We have lot of pressure to relay the stretch but without funds and material including bitumen, we are helpless,” said a Corporation official.