Motorists lament over bumpy ride on Fifth Avenue in Anna Nagar West

The main road houses St Luke’s church along with various other commercial establishments and residential complexes. Though one side of the two-way stretch leading towards Saravana Bhavan junction has tarmac coating, motorists on the other side of the road are in for a rough ride. Tarmac coating here has worn off and the road is filled with potholes.

The stretch connects various important places in the city, including Arumbakkam, Tirumangalam, Nungambakkam and Aminjikarai. “The civic body has filled the potholes on the road with gravels, giving a hard time for motorists and pedestrians. The bad condition of the road has resulted in reducing its width as motorists are reluctant to drive on the pothole-ridden area. This is affecting the free flow of traffic,” a commuter said.

Pedestrians have no other option but to walk on the gravel as the sidewalks are occupied by parked vehicles. “We are forced to walk along the battered stretch, leaving us in close proximity with the passing vehicles,” Manimekalai, a resident, said.

“The road is choked with traffic, especially during peak hours. The situation worsens when the mass timings of the church coincide with the rush hours. Further, autorickshaws and cabs wait for customers in front of the church. These add to the woes of the motorists,” another commuter said. The road’s proximity to Anna Nagar Tower Park and Ayappan temple also attract a crowd on the stretch.

“We cannot escape a bumpy ride while going to any of these places. The stretch also has no median to regulate the movement of vehicles. It was in a better condition a few months ago but now it is turning worse,” a road user said.

“The stretch was dug up to carry out a civic work. We will soon lay the road but only after the elections,” an official attached to the Greater Chennai Corporation said.