The delay in shifting the 240 KV transformer that is in the middle of Chennai-Tiruvallur High (CTH) Road between Pattabiram and Avadi continues to put motorists at risk. During night, many motorists hit the transformer as the stretch is poorly illuminated.
According to the police, the stretch has been widened and motorists tend to drive at a reckless speed, without noticing the transformer, as traffic is relatively free on the stretch. Another reason for motorists driving at a high speed is that the stretch beyond Avadi is free from encroachments.
“Despite barricades having been put in place near Hindu College in Pattabiram, the transformer takes motorists by surprise resulting in frequent accidents,” said a police. “The recently-laid median has only reduced the width of the stretch (towards Avadi) and the transformer occupies the available space,” said K. Selvam from Pattabiram.
“The transformer will be relocated at the earliest,” said a Tangedco official. According to the State Highways Department, the widening of the stretch and the re-laying of the road are part of the larger widening work of the stretch between Padi and Thiruninravur on the CTH Road, which covers a distance of around 22 km. The project, sanctioned in April last, would convert the existing two-lane stretch into six-lane between Padi and Thiruninravur.
With a fund of Rs. 98 crore, the project includes widening of the stretch with bitumen, laying of storm-water drains, commissioning of street lights and replacing the existing TANGEDCO poles with new ones. Also, the 10-metre CTH Road will be widened to 18 metres.
