Citizen Connect: Loose gravel on Rangarajapuram flyover gives motorists the skids

Motorists on Rangarajapuram flyover are in danger as the Greater Chennai Corporation has failed to repair the bridge, which was battered by the recent rains.

M Vishnupriya, a resident of Kodambakkam, said that the flyover on Subramania Nagar side is damaged completely with loose gravel scattered all over. “The gravel makes the road prone to skidding and the motorists, especially two-wheeler riders, have to be extra cautious. When I was riding pillion with my husband on Thursday, our bike skidded. It was a close shave,” she added.

Rangarajapuram flyover is one of the major links between T Nagar and Kodambakkam, the major areas that are separated by railway track. The flyover, which was completed in 2012, has decongested Usman Road and Kodambakkam flyover.

M Kumar, a motorist, pointed out that the bridge was in good condition until the rains. “Even though only cars and two-wheelers use the flyover, it got damaged after just one spell of rain. Chennai Corporation should lay quality road on the flyover,” he said.

He urged the civic body to remove the loosened gravel chips from the road to prevent accidents before repairing the bridge.

“Apart from the flyover, several interior roads in Kodambakkam have been damaged in the rain. Gravel comes loose on most of the newly laid roads in the locality. The official should take necessary measures to make the roads safer before another spell of rains,” he demanded.

Sivashankar, another resident, pointed out potholes near the spot where the flyover ends and vehicles heading towards Kodambakkam railway station take a U-turn.

When contacted, a Chennai Corporation official assured to take steps to repair the flyover. “We will forward the complaint to local engineers and direct them to remove the gravel and repair the flyover,” he said.

However, residents expressed dissent and alleged that the civic body violates the norms and lay poor quality roads in several parts of the city. “The civic body should follow quality norms and use the right amount of tar while laying roads,” a shop owner in Kodambakkam said.