Caved-in roads not relaid after Metro Water works slow down buses on Dr Besant Road in Royapettah

Being one of the most densely populated area in the city, the Dr Besant Road in Royapettah is a main stretch connecting Anna Salai with Marina Beach and Kamarajar Salai via Royapettah. Despite many MTC buses having to pass to reach their destination, the stretch slows down the vehicular movement due to the encroachments on either sides of the road and the unevenly dug up road to lay the Metro Water connections.

MTC buses with routes such as 25G, 45A, 24A and 32B ply pass through the stretch to reach their destination. While it has been over a week since the Chennai MetroWater Supply and Sewage Board (CMWSSB) has completed the work of digging up the road to give an underground Metro Water connection to the residents of Periyam Malaiyappan Street, the road has not been re-laid yet, making commuting through the road a task for both two-wheeler riders andMTC buses. 

The residents complain that on January 28, an MTC bus with the route number 25G plying between Poonamallee and Anna Square, was stuck as the dug-up road caved in since it could not withstand the load. Though the bus was removed and none were injured in the accident, nothing much has changed, said the residents. 

“It is good that we have finally got the underground Metro Water connection, but authorities should have to restore the road quickly since it is a crucial stretch for both the residents and others using the road,” said Imranullah, a resident of Periya Malaiyappan Street. 

When contacted the Area Engineer (CMWSSB) Sellakannu, he said that they have covered up the road for their part and paid the due sum to the Corporation to relay the road. “The road was dug as an improvement measure to link Periya Malaiyappan Street with the mainline of the Metro Water. The bus got stuck the very next day after the work was completed. We immediately levelled the road again,” he said. 

While the two Executive Engineers of Zone 9 of the Greater Chennai Corporation said that the stretch does not come under their jurisdiction, Zonal Officer Ramamoorthy was not available for his comments.  Meanwhile, the residents of PS Sivasamy Salai also complained that the road has been battered for months together and authorities concerned seem not to have been bothered to relay the stretch.