A current issue

Corporation wants a transformer in Mogappair relocated; Tangedco says work has not been executed due to staff shortage

After a fund crunch, manpower shortage seems to be another obstacle preventing Tangedco officials in Mogappair from executing a work.

Giving the background of the problem, Greater Chennai Corporation officials of Zone 7 raised a request with Tangedco officials in Mogappair to relocate a 110 KV transformer found on Church Road. The fully-functional transformer has been impeding the free movement of vehicles on the stretch. According to Corporation officials, “staff shortage” was the reason given for not carrying out the work.

In the absence of a positive response, the Corporation officials proceeded to introduce a one-way traffic arrangement on a 100-metre stretch of Church Road, near the transformer. The new arrangement has, however, backfired, with the traffic situation getting out of hand, especially during rush hour.

Commuters use Church Road to reach the bus termini in East and West Mogappair. Further, the stretch provides residents with access to schools and hospitals on Ambattur Industrial Estate Main Road. Residents and motorists also want Tangedco to relocate the transformer to one end of the stretch or to a more spacious spot on the stretch.

Some have even suggested that the old conventional big transformer be replaced with a more compact modern transformer to meet the energy requirements of the neighbourhood. Such a measure by Tangedco, motorists say, will not only need a smaller space to install but also help save lives by preventing accidents.

“Tangedco is putting the residents’ lives at risk. Last week, a motorcyclist was injured when he tried to negotiate the narrow one-way stretch,” says K. Sivakumar, a motorist.

Every day, hundreds of motorists from Mogappair, Nolambur, Ambattur, Padi, Mannurpet and Ayapakkam use Church Road as the stretch is the shortest route to reach Poonamallee High Road via Maduravoyal.

Incidentally, Church Road is an important bus route for all route numbers from East and West Mogappair bus terminus. Now, with the transformer gobbling up a chunky space, MTC buses also use one portion of the Road, adding to the traffic congestion.

Additionally, civic officials are unable to construct stormwater drain on the portion of the stretch where the EB transformer is located. “We have communicated to our higher officials at our Tangedco headquarters at Anna Salai the necessity of relocating the transformer soon. We are still waiting for their nod,” says a Tangedco official.