Chennai: Months after Metro Water completed underground drainage work, the two-km Camp Road–Agaram Main Road stretch in East Tambaram continues to be in poor shape. Potholes, uneven patches and unfinished portions has made commute difficult for motorists and pedestrians.The stretch branches off from the Camp Road junction on Velachery Main Road and connects to Tambaram Eastern Bypass. For nearly a year, Metro Water has been carrying out UGDS and water supply works in the area, including the laying of 1,000mm-diameter pipelines.Several portions of the eastern bypass have also been dug up for Metro Water works. However, though the UGDS work on the two-km stretch was completed several months ago, the road has not been fully restored. Motorists are forced to negotiate potholes and rough patches. During peak hours, traffic slows considerably, adding around 30 minutes to journeys through the stretch.The road is also heavily used, with at least 1,000 vehicles passing through it every hour and thousands of school and college students using it daily. With no proper footpaths, pedestrians are forced to walk alongside moving vehicles, increasing the risk of accidents.Recent rains have worsened the situation. “For the past two weeks, there have been light to heavy showers almost every night. The mud along the sides becomes slushy, making it risky for bikers, especially when they have to move around the potholes,” said Vignesh, a resident of Mappedu.“The Tambaram Eastern Bypass has also become a mess at several important junctions. The road near a private engineering college, Indira Nagar junction and the road leading to the IAF station are partly closed. Work is progressing very slowly in many places. Whenever a portion of Metro Water work is completed, the corporation should immediately relay the road,” he added.Metro Water officials said the work has not stalled and that 70% of the overall work has been completed. The remaining work is being fast-tracked and is expected to be completed before the northeast monsoon. Tambaram Corporation commissioner S Balachander said officials had inspected the roads and that necessary action would be taken to relay the damaged stretches before next week.
