Patients visiting Sir Ivan Stedeford Hospital in Ambattur on Chennai-Tiruvallur High (CTH) Road have a tough time in crossing the road opposite the hospital as it is pitch dark. The portion of CTH Road between Rakki Theatre and the hospital, a distance of around 200 metres, is poorly illuminated due to lack of streetlights.
The existing dilapidated high mast lamp opposite the hospital is dim, with little light falling on the road. The sodium vapour lamp has not been replaced for many years, even after the 2015 floods when the lamp fittings got damaged. As per norms, old bulbs have to be replaced once in two years, depending on their level of illumination. “Due to lack of sufficient illumination, we find it difficult to reach the bus stop, which is located opposite the hospital,” says S. Manjula, a resident of Villivakkam.
The road diverges at Rakki Theatre, with one route leading to Puzhal and Red Hills via Surapet, and the other connects Avadi, Annanoor and Thirumullaivoyal with Anna Nagar, Ambattur and Padi. Due to delay in the widening of CTH Road, the spot near the hospital is narrow, providing space for only one bus to pass through at a time.
During rush hour, patients to the hospital struggle to cross the road, despite the availability of a pedestrian-crossing. In fact, due to frequent accidents, the State Highways laid speed-breakers, a few months ago, at the spot to ensure safety of pedestrians, who are mainly visitors to the hospital.
A concrete median was built a few years ago, along the narrow stretch between the hospital and Rakki Theatre, to prevent traffic congestion and accidents. Interestingly, provision for installation of new streetlights along the median has also been made. However, lack of funds and the delay in government nod made the State Highways to remain silent about providing streetlights.
The hospital witnesses heavy footfall with people from other parts of the city and neighbouring districts including Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram, visiting it mainly due to the affordable cost of treatment.
Due to poor illumination from the existing high mast lamp, ambulances find it difficult to enter and exit from the hospital. “Steps will soon be taken to install new LED lights on the stretch,” says a State Highways official.
