Months after the work on laying pipelines was completed by the Chennai Metrowater, the Padi Pudhu Nagar Main Road in Mogappair has not been relaid by the Greater Chennai Corporation, which has resulted in accidents and slow movement of vehicles.
Every day, hundreds of motorists from Ambattur, Ayapakkam, Mannurpet, Thirumullavoyal, J.J. Nagar and Korattur use the Padi Pudhu Nagar Main Road. The stretch connects Mogappair, Tirumangalam and Padi with Koyambedu Wholesale Market. “As many schools are located in its vicinity, many students frequent Padi Pudhu Nagar Main Road. But due to the poor road condition, schoolchildren have suffered many injuries,” says K. Sankaralingam, a resident of Mogappair.
Two years ago, the pipelines were laid on the road, as part of providing an underground drainage system. Subsequently, the civic body also widened the narrow stormwater drains and connected the drains with the Cooum river, as part of its Integrated Storm Water Drain project. As a result, residents had to take a detour of at least 3km to reach PH Road. Though the work was completed many months ago, the civic body has not re-laid the damaged stretch. Many unused pipes, which were brought for the drainage work, still occupy a portion of the narrow sandy stretch. School vans and other vehicles get struck on the battered road, resulting in accidents or breakdown of vehicles. Due to the poor condition of the road, ambulances take a detour via Tirumangalam junction to reach Padi Pudhu Nagar and other adjoining areas.
Accidents occur frequently on the stretch, especially during night, due to poor illumination. Most of the existing sodium vapour lamps on the stretch are damaged due to the drain work. The damaged streetlights were not repaired or replaced with new LED lights. “Steps will be taken to relay the stretch soon,” says a Corporation official.