Choolaimedu bears brunt of dug up roads

Chennai: Three weeks after Metrowater completed underground sewer line work in Choolaimedu, the dug up roads remain unrepaired, raising concerns among residents of Thiruvenkadapuram Main Road. Large patches of uneven surfaces have been left unattended on the stretch.Locals say riders skid and fall while navigating this road. With no warning signs or proper levelling, the damaged road poses a serious risk to commuters.R Shakthivel, a resident of Choolaimedu, said, "There was no prior information or announcement given to the residents when Metro Water initially started the work nearby.""Heavy machinery was brought to the street on a weekday and they just started digging the roads. My car parked outside the compound was damaged by the earth-mover's entry to the street."T Ganeshan, a member of the Choolaimedu Residents' Association, said, "Sewer lines in our locality are old and need to be changed, but the stretch has been made inaccessible during the day for the past two weeks. Heaps of mud are still left uncleared on the road. We informed the councillor and filed complaints through the Namma Chennai app, but all in vain.""The work was completed in the first two streets. We are yet to begin work on four more adjoining streets, including Khan Street and Ameerjan Street in Choolaimedu, which will be completed in a month. The work will be handed over to the GCC by Tuesday to re-lay the roads in the streets where work is fully completed," said C Suresh Kumar, assistant engineer of Zone 9.S Jayaraj, another resident of Choolaimedu, said, "Street lights have not been working for almost a month in Thiruvengadapuram 1st and 2nd Street and Sowrashtra Nagar on Choolaimedu High Road. This poses a safety hazard for women who come home late at night." Necessary action should be taken to address the issue at the earliest, he added.