The road between Keezha Devadhanam and Oyamari in the city, which mainly caters to the vehicles taking part in funeral processions to the gasifier crematorium at Oyamari from different parts of the city, literally cries for attention.
Though the stretch from the Chennai bypass road to Oyamari is in good condition, the same cannot be said about the stretch between Keeza Devadhanam and the bypass road, which evokes resentment among mourners and the residents.
The road, which is dotted with deep potholes at many spots, has been in a bad shape for the last several years. It is hardly motorable and the vehicles move at a snail’s pace on the road.
The recent rain has also exposed the pathetic condition of the road which is extensively used by funeral processionists.
The recent non-seasonal showers had reduced to road to tatters. On an average, 10 to 15 funeral processions pass via Keezha Devadhanam to the Oyamari crematorium, which caters to the needs of nearly one thirds of the city’s population living in Andal Street, Varaganeri, Palakkarai, Tharanallur, Gandhi Market, East Boulevard Road, West Boulevard Road, Mela Chinthamani, Keezha Chinthamani, and others. However, the road has failed to attract the attention of authorities and elected representatives, say residents of Keezha Devadhanam.
The issue was also raised at a recent meeting of the Tiruchirapalli City Corporation Council.
“We are tired of presenting petitions to the authorities. We have waited for long. If the road is not re-laid immediately, we may have to think of a novel protest to draw the attention of the authorities,” said M.Murugesan of Arjunan Street in Keezha Devadhanam.
Many of the local residents said that the road was re-laid about 15 years ago. Some of them are of the view that Keezha Devadhanam has been neglected for too long, and the locality also lacks other basic facilities, including drainage facility and streetlights.
