Residents of SIDCO Industrial Estate say the Industrial Estate Main Road, the arterial road connecting them to Melur highway, has been in disrepair for a long time.
R. Selvi, a resident of Industrial Estate Colony, says she does not remember the last time earthmovers and steamrollers were stationed to complete patchwork. “Motorists and autorickshaw drivers refuse to enter this area fearing damage to their vehicles. The entire stretch is pockmarked with potholes that resemble giant craters. Our backs hurt just when travelling through them,” she says.
The road, which was once abuzz with traffic, is almost deserted, says R. Jeyalakshmi, a college student. She says here was a time when several trucks would frequent the area. “Earlier SIDCO was in charge of maintenance of the estate. They would lay roads and supply water. After the ward was added to the Corporation, confusion arose over the organisation in charge of development work. Both pointed fingers at each other,” she says.
Since there is a lack of clarity, there is no maintenance, she says pointing to the poorly-lit road. This also leads to anti-social activities. Though police patrol the area occasionally, due to the darkness, miscreants drink on the roadside, she says. “Women feel unsafe after 6 p.m.,” she says.
The roads are difficult to pass through during rains, says S. Nagajothi, a student of Class 7 who studies in a private school in the Industrial Estate.
A Corporation official said SIDCO refused to give up control of the Industrial Estate Main Road even though former Corporation Commissioner Sandeep Nanduri attempted to broker talks with the organisation. “We have taken charge of cleaning the stormwater drains and laying roads inside the colony. The main road is still problematic,” says the source.
A senior manager from SIDCO says a proposal under the Integrated Infrastructural Development Scheme was sent to the Central government two years ago and is awaiting approval.
“On November 12, the proposal was sent to the screening committee. We hope that the sanctions are provided soon so that we can begin working on the drainage and general upkeep of the area as well,” the source says.
