Uneven utility patches add to motorists’ woes in Tambaram

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At Thiruporur Road-Hasthinapuram bus stand junction, a large pothole at the junction adds to the difficulties faced by motorists and pedestrians. | Photo Credit: T. Arvind

Sand and mud spread across a portion of Agaram Main Road near the Camp Road junction pose a risk to motorists. | Photo Credit: T. Arvind

A recently restored portion of Railway Border Road remains uneven after being dug up for pipe-laying work. | Photo Credit: T. Arvind

Motorists and schoolchildren in several parts of Tambaram City Corporation are facing a fresh hazard on roads already affected by potholes and damaged surfaces: uneven patches laid after roads are dug up for water supply and underground drainage (UGD) works.

In several locations, the excavated portions have been restored with concrete, but the surface has not been brought back to its original level. Two-wheeler riders and cyclists are forced to suddenly change direction to avoid the rough patches, while motorists have to slow down and manoeuvre around them, affecting the smooth flow of traffic.

A visit to several roads from Pallavaram to Tambaram showed that the problem was particularly acute at a number of locations. Here are six trouble spots:

Driving along Sivasankaran Street near Pallavaram railway station towards the flyover leading to Shandy Road has become difficult. The approach to the flyover has several uneven and damaged portions, forcing motorists to move towards either edge of the carriageway to avoid the rough surface. Sudden U-turns by autorickshaws and vehicles from the service road add to the risk. There is also a lack of clarity over whether the affected portion comes under Tambaram Corporation or the Cantonment Board. Corporation Commissioner S. Balachandran said he would look into the issue.

An uneven and damaged stretch near the Pallavaram flyover forces motorists to manoeuvre around rough patches. | Photo Credit: T. Arvind

Railway Border Road, popularly known as Vaishnava College Border Road, is used by hundreds of motorists to Tirusulam towards the Metro station or seeking to avoid GST Road congestion. A portion of the road, which was laid about six months ago, was dug up last month for pipe-laying work. Though it was subsequently filled and restored with concrete, the patch remains uneven. With the road already narrow, two-wheeler riders tend to avoid the affected portion.

On Chitlapakkam Main Road, a stretch from the R.P. Road junction was recently dug up for laying water pipelines and restored with concrete. While several patches are manageable, the stretch diagonally opposite Varadaraja Cinemas near the autorickshaw stand remains particularly uneven. Street vendors said two-wheeler riders, including women, had lost balance while negotiating the patch.

At Ayyasamy School Street, uneven concrete patches laid at multiple points make cycling difficult for schoolchildren. | Photo Credit: T.