The scene on Konnur High Road, which falls in ward 96 in Ayanavaram, on any given day, is rather chaotic. Buses, autos, motorcycles and cars vie for space on the undamaged portions of this dusty stretch that is always marked with potholes and rubble.
The road, said C. Balan, who has been driving an autorickshaw in the area for 15 years, is used by residents to get to Perambur, Parrys, Villivakkam, Ambattur and other areas. “A large portion of the road is completely damaged and poses a danger to motorist, especially at night,” he said. G. Venkatesan, a resident of the area, said: “For around two years, this stretch had been in this state.”
“With a hospital, a bus stand and a hotel on this road, there is constant traffic. I have witnessed in many instances people falling off their bikes while turning at the Palakaran Main Street junction to Konnur High Road. Cars and motorcycles are parked on either the sides of the road making the situation worse. Schoolchildren, who need to cross this road, face the brunt of all the chaos,” he said.
K. Kalavathi, a resident of Mettu Street, said that even crossing the road to reach her bus stop was a tedious task, as this stretch — which is already deteriorated — construction debris piled up on one side of the street.
An open stormwater drain was also seen on this stretch a few days ago.
A shopkeeper said that a wooden plank needed to be placed over the drain to allow people access to his shop.
The constant dust clouds, motorcyclists said, made navigation a nightmare.
Some of the interior roads too, are in bad shape, with vehicles lined up on both sides.
AIADMK councillor S. Pushpalatha said that of the two Km of Konnur High Road, one kilometre had already been re-laid and the rest would be completed soon.
“The damage on the road is because of drainage pipes being replaced. We are also re-laying four other streets where we changed drainage pipes recently,” she said.
On the open stormwater drain, he said it had just been desilted and that slabs would be placed soon.
Pics by K. Pichumani
NICA IDs: 177471843, 177471911, 177471912, 177471844
Councillor pic: 177474076
