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New traffic diversions have been introduced in Anna Nagar with the Chennai Corporation commencing work on stormwater drains in Thangam Colony and Lotus Colony areas. The move has proved disadvantageous for residents of these areas.

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“All of a sudden, hundreds of vehicles proceeding from Padi are taking these two narrow roads in our colony. We are unable to cross the road. Even on Eid, a public holiday, we had incessant traffic flowing through our area. When work is taken up on one stretch, that road is closed and traffic is diverted through another narrow lane next to it,” said K. Veeranan, a shopkeeper at Thangam Colony.

The traffic police had recently borrowed an earth mover from the Chennai Metro Rail work site to level the road near a CSI Church in Thangam Colony.

“The road is inside Tamil Nadu Housing Board (TNHB) land and is under dispute. So roads have not been laid for quite some years. We had diverted traffic through these roads and as they are in a poor shape, vehicles move very slowly, which is why we levelled the earth on the road,” said a source.

T.K. Pandian, a resident of Anna Nagar, said these narrow roads were critical as many schools dotted the areas. “The main roads, including Shanthi Colony Main Road, 2 Avenue and 13 Main Road, are one-ways due to Metro Rail work and many residents who used to take the interior roads to avoid major junctions are now forced to take roundabout routes,” he said.

K. Thomas, another resident, said that, though the Chennai Corporation had announced that pre-cast concrete structures would be used in the construction of stormwater drains, it had not implemented the method.

“On 18 Main Road, which is a two-way road and a bus route, the Corporation has been taking quite some time to complete the construction of a drain. I wonder why they don’t finish such works quickly,” he said.

Credit: The Hindu