Every morning, the narrow Manthope Road near Ambattur gets choked with traffic despite being in a terrible state.
The stretch is a crucial link between Mogappair, Ambattur and Vanagaram. Motorists often put themselves through the ordeal of travelling on the potholed Manthope Road as it also connects Ambattur to the western parts of the city, including Thiruverkadu.
Though hundreds use the road every day, it has remained in bad shape for several years now, according to residents of Ambattur.
V. Madhavan, a resident of Villivakkam, said he had been commuting on the stretch near Wavin junction in Ambattur Industrial Estate for over five years now.
“The road lacks good black-topping. It runs to a distance of about 800 metres. If not this stretch, I have to go via the congested Anna Nagar and Koyambedu to reach my office in Vanagaram,” he said.
Besides traversing the additional four or five km, he would have to spend over an hour negotiating the one-way stretches in Anna Nagar and on Poonamallee High Road, Mr. Madhavan said.
“Going via Chennai Bypass Road from Wavin junction would also mean travelling additional distance,” he said.
Whenever the road was black-topped, it did not last more than three months, said residents. During the rainy season, the road gets water-logged. Besides residents in fast-developing localities, the stretch is also used by private school vehicles ferrying students from Vanagaram to Mogappair.
V. Rajan, a resident of Mogappair, said the road was 30-35 feet wide. But only half the width had been black-topped. That too, was in dire need of repair, he said.
Traffic gets further chaotic on Manthope Road when heavy vehicles too criss-cross the stretch. But motorists from Ambattur prefer it over dusty Chennai-Tiruvallur High Road.
Elected representatives and sources in the civic body said measures would be taken to repair the road soon.
Keywords: road transport, public transport, Chennai Corporation
Bit surprised again and I did not see any road in Chennai city without potholes. Every where one can notice the road is full of patch and other things. At times it is too dangerous to drive on it and still the traffic is moving. The stretch one from Thirumangalam (near anna nagar second avenue end) Junction is so horrible and pathetic conditions to walk or to drive vehicles. Funny thing is bikes are coming in wrong directions at very high speed and knocking down all. The remedy what the authorities has is to lay one more layer of materials thus increasing the height of the roads. In these process the Ground floor becomes and basement and no drain for water. City planners need bit of sense and so on. Enough for the day!
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