For many years, it has been a bumpy ride for those traversing the Konakkarai crematorium road along the banks of the Kudamuritti river in the city.
The road leading from Woraiyur to the Kudamuritti bridge on the Karur Highway has been in a pathetic condition and despite several protests by locals the road has got little attention, possibly because of its relatively rather secluded location. The road provides a short and quick access to the Karur Highway. Besides, it is the only access road to the Konakkarai crematorium, which caters to a large number of residents in and around Woraiyur.
The road is full of potholes, complain a section of residents who recently launched a signature campaign. “There has been no proper maintenance for many years. Apart from abysmal condition of the road, absence of street lights makes things bad for people traversing this road during the evenings,” says S.Balamurali, branch secretary (west), Communist Party of India, who led the signature campaign on the road recently.
The secluded place has become a refuge for anti-socials in the evenings, locals allege. The presence of a liquor shop behind a women’s college compounds the problem. Taking advantage of the secluded location, many have turned the road stretch an open bar, he adds.
Locals complain that the banks of the Kudamuritti canal which flows into the Cauvery has been in a poor condition and pose a danger to residents. They demand that the banks of the canal be strengthened and the bathing ghats be renovated. The crematorium is one of the biggest in the city and development works taken at the place should be completed expeditiously, residents said.
