Slow progress of underground drainage work hits residents, traders at Pammal

Besides the road users, even the traders who have their shops on the road margin are also affected, with some even closing them till the work gets over.

Every day, hundreds of motorists who come by Pozhichalur Main Road take Gowthaman Street to reach either Pallavaram or Pammal. But for the past one month, the road has been closed due to ongoing drain work, which, they allege, is proceeding at a very slow pace. Due to this, they are no forced to take alternate routes, where the road is in a poor condition, complained motorists. This also involves more distance – hence increased travel time.

“Due to the construction work at the end of Gowthaman Street, I am now forced to travel more every day now,” said K Santhosh, an employee of private a firm at Chromepet, who used to take this route regularly till it was blocked. According to him, the extra distance was only about a kilometre. However, the other road is in a very bad shape, making it difficult for motorists, especially those on two-wheelers like Santhosh.

Many including him had lodged complaints and representations with Pammal Municipality to complete the work promptly. But the officials have not heeded to their requests, he added.

The ongoing construction work has also affected more than 50 shops, as the trench dug up on the edge of the road cut off access to them. This prompted many shop owner to close down instead of spending money to lay wooden planks. K Shankar, a snacks vendor on Pozhichalur Main Road is one such whose business was hit by the seemingly never-ending drainage work. “For the last one week, I am forced to close my shop due to this work, which is progressing very slowly,” he rued.

When asked about these complaints, an official from Pammal Municipality admitted that the work was moving at a slow pace, blaming it on the delayed release of fund. However, he added, the work would be completed in a week or so. Once completed, the drainage would benefit the local residents, he said, and added: “But they do not understand the work involved in it.”