There is variety to the experience of driving through Nungambakkam High Road — there are bumps in some places and craters in others. For months now, motorists using this stretch find their driving skills out to the utmost test. Nungambakkam High Road is an arterial stretch used by thousands of motorists every day — yet, many portions of it have been left uneven. Motorists are forced to slow down, adding to the existing chaos.
“It is a nightmare to ride on this road between 6.30 p.m. and 8.30 p.m. as the traffic moves at a snail’s pace. Traffic movement is made slower still by sections where the road has chipped off,” says Tapas Kumar, a motorist. He says the situation in the same in posh localities such as Khader Nawaz Khan Road (KNK).
KNK is home to many high-end restaurants and international luxury brands but the roads leading to their doorsteps say a different story.
“Potholes welcome pedestrians and motorists when they enter KNK through Nungambakkam High Road. The junction leading to Model School Road is poorly lit and is in a bad condition. Things get worse when it rains,” says S. Senthil, a resident of Nungambakkam.
Some damaged spots take motorists by surprise. “The turn from Haddows Road, which leads towards Nungambakkam High Road, is messy. The bitumen has peeled off, leaving some yawning cracks. People taking a turn don’t expect the bump. Two-wheelers often lose balance. And if they are taking a steep turn, it can be very dangerous,” says another motorist.
Many other areas in and around Nungambakkam have a similar problem. Valluvarkottam High Road, for instance, narrows at a point where only two vehicles can forge ahead together. But this place too is in a bad shape for months. “It was dug twice or thrice for development work but has not been repaired ever since. This causes inconvenience to motorists,” says S. Rajaram, an auto driver from the area.
Another problem residents of Valluvarkottam complain about is the condition of Lake Area Main Road. “Every year, the road is patched up ahead of the Chennai Open, but neglected for the remaining part of the year. The area needs proper roads and traffic regulations,” says a resident.
