Citizen Connect: Bumpy ride, overflowing sewage, encroachments on Ethiraj Salai leave motorists fuming

The lanes that branch from the road lead to high-profile residential areas.However, the present condition of the stretch paints a different picture altogether, one which exposes the almost complete negligence on the part of all government departments. The road is riddled with potholes with the spot in front of Hotel Kanchi being in a particularly bad condition. It is flooded with sewage overflowing from the high-rises. Apart from these woes is the encroachment, that leave little space for motorists especially during the peak hours.

“The road has been in the same condition for over a year, but the authorities seem to have no problems about it. The rain on Wednesday has made the condition of the road even worse,” said an autorickshaw driver who uses the route often. “Maybe it is because there are no VIPs living on the stretch to put pressure on officials to make things happen,” said another person who operates a share-autorickshaw for the college girls.

As if the abject condition of the road is not enough, there is overflowing of sewage from multi-storey residential apartments on the road. “The buildings such as Commandar’s Court on Ethiraj Salai are said to be well-equipped and loaded with amenities. But even they let sewage water out on the road in the night hours. It makes the stretch slushy and results in a terrible stench in the neighbourhood,” said a government employee on the condition of anonymity.

Also, the pavements and even portions of the road have been occupied by encroachers, though the traffic police have erected ‘No Parking’ poles across the stretch.

“In particular, the eateries located opposite the Post office become busy in the peak traffic hours. Several cars are parked occupying one-side of the two-way traffic. Traffic police take bribe and turn a blind eye on the violation,” alleged a resident of the locality. The officials concerned were not available for comment.