New link road in Pallavaram makes commuting easier

Residents were waiting for it for fifty years

Benches for walkers and solar-powered street lamps have been provided along the link road. Photo: M. Karunakaran

A 50-year-long wait has finally come to an end, with the Dr. Puratchi Thalaivi Amma Link Road being opened to the public on June 10.

The road provides commuters access to Krishna Nagar, Jayalakshmi Nagar, Moovarasampet, Madipakkam, Subham Nagar, Subramania Nagar, Anbu Nagar and Keezhkattalai.

The biggest benefit, according to many residents, is that the opening of the road has considerably reduced the distance to be covered to reach Pallavaram and Meenambakkam.

The Link Road has been provided with benches for walkers to rest and is lined with solar-powered street lamps. Also, around 100 saplings have been planted on both sides of this one-kilometre stretch. M. Chelladurai, a long-time resident of Jayalakshmi Nagar, Zamin Pallavaram, said, “We are happy that the Link Road has been opened. But, there are no proper bus services providing connectivity to interior areas. Commuters have to walk or arrange for transport to reach the nearest railway station or bus stop, which are both located at Meenambakkam.”

At present, commuters have to either go to Madipakkam Koot Road or Keezhkattalai to board buses. “I moved to Jayalakshmi Nagar in 1962. Previously, the road was an agricultural land. People used to practise farming here. The area has seen gradual development. We need buses connecting to other areas in the city,” he adds.

Earlier, on polling day, residents of Jayalakshmi Nagar and Krishna Nagar would take a detour of around five kilometres to reach the polling booths and cast their votes. Reaching the burial ground near Subham Nagar would also entail taking a circuitous route. The Link Road was declared open by Pallavaram MLA P. Dhansingh in the presence of K.M.R. Nissar Ahmed, president, and M. Chandrakesavan, councilor, ward 13, Pallavaram Municipality.

“Plans are afoot to develop Moovarasampet Eri Karai Poonga and construct Amma Bus Terminal on the Link Road. New bus route numbers connecting Keezhkattalai, the airport, Meenambakkam, Pallavaram and Tirusulam, through the Link Road, will be introduced,” Chandrakesavan said.