The absence of illumination along Outer Ring Road is causing severe problems to residents living alongside the stretch. Minor crimes and harassment of women and children are some of the problems experienced by residents of Rayappa Nagar and surrounding localities such as Amutham Nagar and Shanthiniketan Nagar ever since traffic was allowed on the stretch.
The ORR is yet to be officially inaugurated as it is incomplete. Vehicles enter ORR at various spots and travel on the carriageway. However, cement concrete barricades are placed at some points, forcing vehicles to take a diversion on the service lane. For the convenience of pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and cars, a couple of underpasses have been constructed below the elevated road between the intersections at Mudichur Road and Tambaram – Somangalam Road. After dusk, groups of people park their vehicles and make merry in these areas.
“People stop by, drink liquor and have dinner, and sometimes, create a ruckus and break empty bottles on the road,” said V. Rajasekaran, president of Rayappa Nagar Tiruvalluvar Residents Welfare Association, Varadarajapuram. He primarily blamed the absence of adequate street lighting. “Lamp posts have been installed along elevated as well as surface portions of the road, but they are not switched on as the project is still incomplete.
“They should install a few lamps inside the underpasses to keep miscreants at bay,” suggested D. Manohar, a resident. Residents said that in August, a woman was assaulted by a motorcycle-borne duo, which snatched her chain. Staff at Tamil Nadu Road Development Corporation said they would look into the grievances of residents.
