The Chennai Corporation is likely to start work soon on restoring damaged roads along 17,000 stretches in various parts of the city.
The civic body will kickstart the work this week after the government sanctions ₹260 crore in the first phase. “Priority has been given to added areas such as Ambattur, Valasaravakkam and Madhavaram. Core city zones will also get funds,” said an official.
The Corporation’s detailed project report estimated the damage to the roads at ₹1,000 crore. But funding is expected to be a challenge. So, portions of the roads are expected to get a makeover in a few months. The Corporation is likely to restore stretches where residents have reported civic issues.
“Metrowater projects have damaged many of the roads in the city. We will restore all the important ones before the onset of the northeast monsoon,” said an official.
New roads
Another key aspect of the project is the development of new roads in many zones.
Because of the absence of councillors, residents have requested several MLAs to visit Ripon Buildings to highlight the issue of bad roads. MLAs have started doing so, talking to officials, demanding inclusion of their list of bad roads in the project.
Harbour MLA P.K. Sekar Babu visited Ripon Buildings on Monday and demanded that officials start road work in his constituency. “NSC Bose Road, Edapalayam Street and Thaiappa Mudali Street are some of the damaged roads,” said Mr. Babu.
Egmore MLA K.S. Ravichandran said 150 roads in his constituency were damaged. “Ritherdon Road is an example. Residents are complaining. But the road has not been restored. We met the Commissioner many months ago. Residents are waiting for commencement of the work,” said Mr. Ravichandran.
