Citizen Connect: Damaged stormwater drain inlets on Egmore road pose threats to motorists

“On Wednesday night, while driving on the Police Commissioner Office road, I was trying to overtake a vehicle. I saw a one-foot-deep pit near the pedestrian pavement. Luckily, I was able to stop my vehicle otherwise I would have suffered injuries,” M Bharath, a private employee said.

When DT Next visited the spot, two such damaged inlets were found between the Adithanar statue roundabout and Tamil Salai junction.

As roads around the Egmore railway station becomes busy more often, the traffic police had converted the Police Commissioner Office road into a one-way road during peak hours. “The road is also poorly lit, and it is difficult to notice the damaged inlets,” Bharath added.

Apart from the motorists, pedestrians walking on the pavement should also be cautious while walking.

“The Chennai Corporation has made the pedestrian pavement wider and erected it to prevent vehicles from riding on the pavement. However, they failed to repair the inlets and close the pits. A pit near the Adithanar Statue is around two feet deep,” a shop keeper, who was walking on the pavement said.

He added that those who don’t know about the pits are more vulnerable as they might tend to try to cross the road and step into any one of them.

Meanwhile, Bharath, who had a close shave, also urged the Chennai Corporation to take measures to close the pits before any accident happens. Adding to the threat posed by the damaged inlets, a manhole has been kept ajar on the pedestrian pavement.

Another pedestrian pointed out that several police officials and civic officials use the road every day. “But none of them are concerned to notice the problem and take action to rectify it. As the issue is now brought into notice, they should repair the inlets,” he urged.

When contacted a Chennai Corporation official, he said that no complaints were received. “However, we will take measures to repair the damages,” he added.