For more than a year, Padikuppam Road in Anna Nagar has been ridden with potholes and craters.
After the Chennai Metro Water completed its work of laying water and other pipelines along the stretch, a portion of the road was blacktopped following pressure from the residents, but the remaining space was left untouched.
“At night, driving on the stretch is riskier as the road is also poorly illuminated,” said K. Devika, a resident.
As per the plan, the 16-feet stretch is to be widened to 30 feet, for which encroachments were removed three years ago.
However, there has been no progress in the commencement of work even after residents filed complaints to the Corporation Commissioner and the Mayor.
“It is necessary that the departments concerned work with better coordination,” said J. Chidambaram, a long-time resident who has been campaigning for relaying of the stretch.
Tucked between Ambattur Industrial Estate Road and Poonamallee High (PH) Road, the Padikuppam Road connects Kamaraj Nagar, Gandhi Street, Nehru Street and Anna Street with the arterial ones — Estate Road and PH Road.
In fact, Padikuppam Road became a vital stretch after the Chennai Metro Rail work began. Many have been taking this stretch with 13th and 12th Main Roads in Anna Nagar being made one-way.
Further, the flyover work at Thirumangalam Junction on J.N. Main Road also made Padikuppam Road convenient for motorists from Ambattur, Mogappair, Padi, J.J. Nagar, Nolambur, and Retteri to reach the main city via P.H. Road from Vannagaram. On contacting the Corporation, an official said: “We would take up the road work on the stretch soon.”
