Three major roads in the southern suburbs have become unsafe for motorists and pedestrians alike.
Stretches along Thoraipakkam Radial Road, Pallikaranai-Tambaram Road near Velachery and MGR Salai that connects Rajiv Gandhi Salai and Taramani Link Road are in darkness because of the absence of streetlights. This has made driving difficult at night, say motorists.
R. Anandan of Rajiv Gandhi Salai All Lorry Owners Welfare Association says driving on Radial Road is the most difficult as insects come flying and crash against the windshield.
“These are insects from the marsh and the garbage mounds of the Chennai Corporation dumping yard. If you are on a two-wheeler, things are even worse. At night, not many vehicles frequent the road. If there is an emergency, there is nobody to turn to for help,” he says.
Around 8 km of the 10.5-km-long Radial Road falls within the Chennai Corporation limits. The road was built and is maintained by the highways department, which has already installed light fixtures for a length of 6.5 km.
“Around two km of the road falls under panchayat limits and we have sought funds to install light poles along that stretch. Work is under progress on MGR Salai,” an official in the department said.
The Velachery–Tambaram Road is in darkness on the Pallikaranai stretch, making it difficult for pedestrians and commuters who wait in darkness for buses. Jaishree Ramesh, a resident of Medavakkam, says she waits at the Pallikaranai bus stop when she comes to the area. “It is scary to wait as even the bus shelter is unlit,” she says.
Sources in the Chennai Corporation say lamp posts have been put up on the road to Tambaram. “We are awaiting supply of light fixtures. Work on the roads is expected to be completed by January,” an official says.
