For an outsider, Annai Nagar in north Korattur can be as challenging as a maze. It has a network of narrow interior roads, where a first-time visitor can be out of his depth, unless he is using GPS navigation.
For, these roads are strikingly similar — with disintegrated bitumen topping, they are visibly old. They are more grey than black, what one would expect roads to wear.
For nearly four years, residents of Annai Nagar have been taking up the issue with the Greater Chennai Corporation. “A few years ago, the roads were dug up for stormwater drain work. Unfortunately, they were not relaid properly after the work was completed. With the debris still sitting on some of these roads, they have become considerably constricted,” points out Prathap Ravishankar, a resident of Annai Nagar.
A few weeks ago, there was a ray of hope. Road-laying work got under way. A few roads were relaid and smartened up with road markings and cat’s eye reflectors, but the work did not seem to reach its logical conclusion. For, most of the roads in Annai Nagar continue to look grey and pitted.
“Most of the roads, especially those that are narrow and can be described only as lanes, have been neglected,” says Prathap.
“When the matter was brought to the notice of the assistant engineer through the Namma Chennai app and phone calls, lack of funds was cited as reason for not carrying out the entire work at one go.” Residents allege the newly-relaid roads, including AVS Main Road, were taken up first for restoration work, because they lead to the residence of a top government official.
When contacted, a Corporation official says, “It was just a mere coincidence that the newly re-laid roads lead to the official’s residence. Once the funds are sanctioned, we will complete the rest of the work. After Metrowater and TNEB had completed their work, we used whatever we had of the roadcut budget to re-lay these roads,” says the official.
