CHENNAI: The stormwater drainage (SWD) construction work under way at Gokulam Colony in Ramapuram has been progressing at a snail’s pace for several months, causing severe traffic congestion and raising serious safety concerns for road users.
The impact is most pronounced on Valluvar Salai, one of the area's key arterial roads. Valluvar Salai is a vital connecting corridor that links Kodambakkam, Vadapalani, Ashok Nagar, KK Nagar, and Ramapuram, and is used daily by thousands of commuters, including students, office goers, public transport users, and commercial vehicles.
Due to the prolonged construction, portions of the road have been narrowed or blocked, resulting in frequent traffic jams, especially during peak morning and evening hours.
Road users have complained that the work site lacks proper barricading, reflective warning signs, and adequate lighting. Open trenches and uneven road surfaces have made the stretch extremely dangerous for two-wheeler riders and pedestrians.
Kannan, a student of SRM Easwari Engineering College, said the delay has severely affected daily commuters. “Valluvar Salai is always busy. Because this work is moving so slowly, traffic gets stuck for long periods, and riders are forced to take risky turns. It is becoming unsafe, especially during night hours,” he said.
Kumaran, a shop owner located near the construction site, said the situation has also affected local businesses. Customers avoid this stretch due to traffic jams. More importantly, riders face serious threats because safety measures are missing. Authorities must either speed up the work or ensure proper protection for road users,” he said.
Residents and commuters have urged the civic authorities to speed up the project and implement strict safety measures to restore smooth traffic flow on Valluvar Salai.
Residents and commuters have urged the civic authorities to speed up the project and implement strict safety measures to restore smooth traffic flow on Valluvar Salai