15 died on Porur-Kundrathur Road in a year

CHENNAI: The 10km long Porur-Kundrathur Main Road is emerging as a death trap for two-wheeler riders with 15 fatal accidents reported this year. As many as 21 others survived with simple injuries on the pothole filled stretch, which was narrowed down due to the ongoing work by multiple government agencies.

Data sourced by TOI from the traffic police said 54 accidents were reported between January and November on the road. According to the traffic police, a majority among those involved in accidents from Porur Junction to Kundrathur were two-wheeler riders. Thirumalai, a building contractor from Porur, said accidents have become frequent on the road, particularly near Madanandapuram and Gerugambakkam. “The road is damaged and uneven. Driving through the bumpy road is very difficult because of its poor condition,” he said.

The road, maintained by the state highways department, has an estimated vehicular density of 29,098 Passenger Car Unit. On an average, 7,500 commercial vehicles ply everyday on the road that has rapidly growing suburbs such as Moulivakkam, Gerugambakkam and Kovur along. The 14-metre wide road has been reduced to half its width on several stretches for work by the Greater Chennai Corporation and Tangedco. To make things worse, earth from the pits dug up is piled up on the road, putting their balancing skills to test, said commuters.

The narrowed road space has made driving a herculean task during peak hours, said motorists. “Accidents occur quite often near Kovur Cross Road, near Kundrathur and Madanandhapuram as the bumpy road conditions,” a MTC driver said.

But motorists are not the only ones scrambling for road space. With pavements dug up as part of repair work, they are pushed to take the road, say pedestrians.

Sources with the state highways department, however, said extending the road would widen the pavements, resolving the problems of pedestrians. Noting that encroachment including shops on the either sides of the road affecting the smooth flow of vehicles would be removed, a highways department official said work has already been completed in Moulivakkam and surrounding areas. “Our work was halted for two months as Metrowater pipe work had to be done. We will resume the widening soon after it is over,” the highways department official added.

Assistant commissioner traffic, Maduravoyal, Radhakrishnan said a team of two sub inspectors and six constables has been formed to ensure road safety on the Porur-Kundrathur Road. “Safety gadgets and warnings are placed in collaboration with the highway department,” he told TOI, adding that several measures are being carried out to prevent accidents.