The Greater Chennai Corporation will soon start removing transformers, cables and poles that pose a hindrance to stormwater drains, pedestrian movement and canal restoration.
Tangedco has given its nod for starting work at 55 locations across the city.
“Hindrance to pedestrian movement has been reported on many roads. Senior officials have conducted inspections in the localities. Work on stormwater drains is incomplete on 10 key stretches due to the presence of transformers,” said a Corporation official.
For instance, work on the Nolambur canal has been disrupted at five locations due to a delay in shifting transformers. “Residents have requested the Chennai Corporation to complete work on the integrated stormwater drain project before the onset of the northeast monsoon,” said P.V.Tamil Selvan, former councillor, Ambattur zone.
Officials are planning to start moving transformers near Fourth Block, Ward 143, Mogappair West; at Barathi Salai Bridge; at the junction of Eri Scheme, Fifth and Tenth Street in Ward 91; at Ninth Main Road in Ward 91; and at Gangaiamman Nagar Culvert in Ward 93.
Work on the Nandambakkam canal has also been delayed owing to a transformer at Sathya Nagar in Ward 157 of Alandur zone. Restoration and widening of Padikuppam canal has also been disrupted at two locations on Fifteenth Street and Eighteenth Street in Ward 90 of Ambattur zone. A transformer at Thirugnana Sambandar Street in Ward 92 of Ambattur is yet to be shifted by Tangedco, affecting stormwater drain projects funded by the World Bank.
Residents have reported hindrances caused by electrical cables on Ganesh Avenue, Second Main Road, in Ward 153 of Valasaravakkam zone.
Cables will be shifted from stormwater drains along Kundrathur Main Road in Ward 153, Vannier Street in Ward 153, Church Road in Ward 92, Kavimani Salai in Ward 92 and Kamaraj Salai in Ward 149 soon, officials said.
Many residents have also complained about electrical cables hindering pedestrian movement. "We have been receiving complaints from residents of Conran Smith Road in Gopalapuram," said an official.
Besides Conran Smith Road, cables and junction boxes have been disrupting pedestrian movement on Luz Avenue, Purasawalkam High Road, Nungambakkam High Road, R.K. Mutt Road, Valluvar Kottam High Road and Indira Nagar First Avenue.
"Tangedco has not given a utilisation certificate for work in 22 locations. We have deposited the money for shifting of poles and pillar boxes in areas such as Alapakkam, Porur Garden, Athipattu, Ambattur, Korattur, Padi, Alwarthirunagar, Valasaravakkam and Porur," said an official.
