The opening of the Anna Nagar link road for traffic on a trial basis has put residents of Andakondan and neighbouring colonies into hardship as access to these residential areas along the banks of the Uyyakondan canal has been curtailed.
Besides, motorists face difficulties in negotiating the newly laid kutcha road strewn with large sized blue metal. Motorists have to make their way through clouds of dust kicked up by the strong seasonal winds and heavy vehicles.
The road, connecting the Anna Nagar Main Road and the Lawsons Road near the MGR Statue in Cantonment, was thrown open for traffic on Monday even before it was blacktopped.
Tiruchirapalli City Corporation sources said it had been opened temporarily to allow the newly formed road to stabilise.
The sources had indicated that it could take about a month’s time to complete the pending works such as construction of median, erection of street lights and creation of traffic roundabouts at both ends of the new road.
But the opening of the road has cut off a vital access route for residents of Andakondan and Azhvar Thoppu and other neighbouring colonies. Many residents have been using the road along the banks of the Uyyakondan canal.
The new road formation has a steep ascent towards the bridge from the Anna Nagar Main Road and motorists cannot reach the road along the bank of the Uyyakondan canal.
“We have been using this shorter access route for several years. But now it is difficult to negotiate the steep climb to get across the newly formed link road,” said Abdullah, a resident.
Now, residents have to take a roundabout via Anna Nagar.
Unmindful of the danger, some motorcyclists and autorickshaw drivers dare to take a steep descent near the Tamil martyrs memorial.
A few temporary steel barricades placed by the police, intended to prevent this, have been dislodged. Minor accidents have already taken place at this site.
Besides, motorist going towards the Uzhavar Sandhai have to take the wrong side of the two carriageways on the Anna Nagar Main Road. The left carriageway directly leads to and ends at the new link road.
Locals and motorists feel that the corporation could do well to close the road until the works are fully completed lest any major accident take place.
Two-wheeler riders are wary of traversing through the new link road as the stretch is strewn with blue metal. Concrete drains built along the road remain open.
“There is the danger of motorcyclists tripping and falling down. A fall on the road could be fatal as stones are all around. Besides, the dust badly affects visibility and gets into the eyes,” said Vignesh, a college student.
