25th Street in Korattur turns into a ghost stretch

The road has only three residential units; motorists and pedestrians avoid it due to dust from a crushing unit

Residents suggest the Street be converted into a walker’s stretch, equipped with basic facilities. Photo: D. Madhavan

Three individual houses are the only residential units found on the 800-metres-long 25th Street, which intersects with the Central Avenue Road and East Avenue Road in Korattur.

For most part, the stretch is lined with defunct vehicles, construction debris, unused pipes and high-tension wires. A sewage pumping station of the Chennai Metrowater and a gravel crushing unit are also located on this road.

Located along a water channel, which is meant to drain excess rainwater from Ambattur lake into Korattur lake during monsoon, 25th street was once a key link road for residents of the neighbourhood.

It provides the shortest route to reach the railway station from East Avenue Road, which connects the busy Chennai–Tiruvallur High Road with the neighbourhood.

“During those days, when most of the streets in the locality were sandy, 25th Street was well-laid as the stretch is located at the intersection of key roads in the neighbourhood such as Central Avenue Road and East Avenue Road. Now, many residents are scared of even walking along the stretch as it appears deserted,” says 72-year-old R. Dhandapani, a resident of Korattur.

Due to air pollution, caused by swirls of dust from the crushing unit, pedestrians and motorists take other streets, especially the 13th street. It does not matter that 13th Street and other stretches are located away from the intersection of Central Avenue Road and East Avenue Road.

Now, residents say 25th Street has become a den for anti-socials. Poor illumination is said to have contributed to the misuse of this key stretch in the neighbourhood.

Interestingly, the Korattur police station is located only 100 metres from the intersection of East Avenue Road and the 25th Street but still, residents shy away from using this stretch.

Residents say the Greater Chennai Corporation should promote 25th Street as a walker’s stretch by providing it with basic facilities, including street lights and a footpath along the water channel.

With a small police booth at one of its ends, 25th Street will regain its past glory.