Citizen Connect: Netaji Nagar residents irked as fund crunch holds up road repair

Though the area witnesses a constant flow of traffic, the civic body has taken least care to repair or maintain the road, said residents.

“The road has gone from bad to worse. The road was last re-laid two years ago. We have been waiting for more than a year to get a fresh coat of tarmac for the road. We have already made several pleas with the officials. No concrete action was taken in this regard,” MKalavathy, a resident, said.

Another resident said, “I have stopped my children from taking bicycles to school. The bad road condition leads to accidents. Otherwise, too, it gives us a bumpy ride.” Frequent trips of water tanker lorries along these stretches have further worsened the condition of the road.

The residents also registered their fear that the civic body will relay a new road without milling it. “The new stretches which were re-laid in the recent times were paved without milling. It raised the height of the road and now poses the risk of inundation. Many old houses in the area are below the road level and those plots get inundated after a short spell of rain,” he added.

Residents echoed that this situation persists along various parts of the neighbourhood. “The residents of many other areas, too, have similar concerns. They are waiting to get new roads. We are expecting that the work orders will be taken this summer as it is the apt time to improve basic infrastructure,” said another resident.

An official attached to Pallavaram Municipality said, “The local body is reeling under severe cash crunch. This is the main reason for the delay in taking up infrastructure projects in the city. The issue will be resolved soon, and all the essential works will be carried out.”