Roads take a beating; No action, only promises and assurances

By Saptarshi Bhattacharya

CHENNAI, NOV. 3. Despite `inspections' and statements issued on behalf of the Chennai Corporation, city roads have taken a fresh beating after another spell of rains during the last two days, making it unmotorable.

Corporation sources said repairs have not been taken up due to paucity of funds. The Government, which went on record stating that it was also going through a bad financial phase, has not released quarterly funds to the local body.

The Additional Commissioner, Mr. P. R. Sampath, convened a meeting of the Assistant Revenue Officers on Thursday and directed them to step up the tax collection drive.

Soon after taking charge as the Deputy Mayor, Mr. `Karate' R. Thyagarajan, too on Thursday inspected the battered roads in some parts of the city.

Stating that the onset of rains has delayed the start of repairs, he said it would be taken up on a war footing shortly. ``I have called for a list of roads which require immediate attention. Once the rains cease, emergency patch work will be taken up with debris and hot mix,'' he added.

However, the tendering process is also likely to come in the way of speedy execution of work. While hinting, that a short tendering process could be adopted taking into consideration the urgency of the work, he said by January, the overall condition of the roads will be restored to normal. ``We will have to alternate the work schedule between rains.''

But apart from promises and assurances, no concrete steps have been taken to repair the roads, which have been battered by the rains and digging operations by IT companies and service organisations. The Highways have not attended to deep potholes even on Anna Salai near Thousand Lights.

The condition has, in fact, worsened as rainwater has accumulated in the pits. Motorists, particularly two wheeler riders, are often foxed by the stagnated water. The dug up earth too has made many roads in the city slushy and dangerous.

Haddows Road, Nungambakkam High Road, Village Road or even Anna Salai or Poonamallee High Road, are in a bad condition. On Friday, a lorry was bogged down on Thirumalai Road in T.Nagar as its wheels sank into a road cut.

Immediate action to provide partial relief seems to be a far cry. Elections to the Standing Committees and Ward Committees will take place on November 29 and 30. Work initiatives by the newly- elected Council are likely to begin only after that. Till then, it will be only and debris and patch work, where the Corporation staff make an effort.

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