Residents of western suburbs could soon get a relief from bad roads as the Greater Chennai Corporation has finalised tenders to relay 501 battered roads at a cost of 47 crore.
The road work will cover areas such as Mugalivakkam, Porur, Ramapuram and Manapakkam where residents said the rain last month dented most roads. Several of these roads have also been dug up for line department work.
K Raju, councillor for ward 155, that covers Ramapuram, said tenders have been finalised to relay bad roads in Kothari Nagar, Bharathi Nagar, Aandavar Nagar, Angel Street, Annai Sathya Nagar, Bajanai Kovil Street, Rayala Nagar and Kalasathamman Street. “These are some major roads we are relaying out of the 100-odd roads that’s being relaid in the area. We have begun the work that should ideally be over in two months,” the councilor said.
Major roads in Mugalivakkam, another battered area, are getting a fix too. J Selvendhiran, councillor for ward 156 that covers Mugalivakkam, said roads in Guruswamy Nagar, Mettukuppam, Sabari Nagar, AGS colony, Kumudham Nagar, Arumugam Road, Thiruvalluvar Nagar are being relaid.
“However, the Mugalivakkam-Madhanandhapuram Road that’s maintained by the Highways is battered. This road connects the area with Kundrathur and to Sri Perambudur. Sewage work is being carried out there, and only if this road is fixed will residents be happy,” he said.
Preeti Ramadoss of Mugalivakkam said the Muglivakkam-Madhanandhapuram main road that is used by all residents of the area has been in a bad state for long. “They should relay this stretch first,” she said.
Residents expressed happiness over the city corporation’s efforts to relay roads but were doubtful if the newly laid roads would be dug up again.
Activist V Pughaventhan said a majority of these western suburb areas are yet to get closed cut-and-cover drains, underground sewage line and underground electric lines. “What’s the guarantee that these roads won’t be damaged again soon after it’s relaid? There should be better coordination from all departments in addressing civic issues,” he said.
Corporation commissioner Dr J Radhakrishnan on Saturday inspected roads in Porur, Mugalivakkam, Ramapuram and Madanandapuram areas. “GCC has begun blacktopping work. Service department work are being expedited,” he said.
