CMRL work leaves stretches of Arcot Road in poor form

For 45-year-old A. Balaji, a resident of Kundrathur, the commute on his two-wheeler by way of Arcot Road is nothing wanting a nightmare. “The complete stretch from Vadapalani to Porur is in such dangerous form that I need to rigorously manoeuvre my bike in order to not lose stability. Last week, one in every of my shut associates had a fall at Virugambakkam. Thankfully, he escaped with minor bruises,” he says.

Ever because the Chennai Metro Rail’s section II mission work commenced alongside Arcot Road to assemble one of many corridors — Poonamallee to Light House by way of Porur and Vadapalani — hundreds of commuters have been struggling to commute on Arcot Road.

While it had already been troublesome to journey alongside the highway resulting from lowered width, it’s additional exacerbated by poor situation of highway, development automobiles stationed at some factors and supplies strewn on highway corners in some places.

Traffic congestion

While at Vadapalani junction, it’s robust for commuters to navigate the site visitors congestion, at Saligramam, the patchwork completed by the Chennai Metro Rail’s contractor is uneven and makes for an uncomfortable trip.

At many places in Virugambakkam and Valasaravakkam, the highway is broken and riddled with craters.

This apart, gravel is scattered over the highway too. In some locations, the distinction in peak between the primary and facet lanes make the trip troublesome for the commuters. 

In a couple of places, the development supplies are additionally dumped alongside the highway. Due to lack of house, large development automobiles are stationed in a couple of areas on the highway, which additional shrinks the carriageway. 

‘No house to stroll’

S. Parimala, a resident of Virugambakkam says, “The pedestrians have completely no house to stroll and it’s harmful simply to cross the highway because the development supplies occupy the median house. Vehicles can take a U-turn wherever they please. We are ready with bated breath for this development work to be over.” 

With the monsoon approaching, commuters say, it is going to be much more difficult to drive by way of Arcot Road. Mr. Balaji provides, “One can by no means know the place there’s a pothole if there’s water stagnation.”

Limited width

Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) officers say they’re working with restricted highway width and therefore it’s fairly a problem to hold out the work.

“Majority of the work occurs at midnight since that’s when we now have permission. Within that timeframe, we are attempting to complete the work as quickly as potential. We have been finishing up restore work as and when the roads are broken. Now, with development work quick approaching completion, we now have handed over the highway laying to Greater Chennai Corporation and Highways Department,” an official says.