CHENNAI: The motorists and two-wheeler riders in Walajabad are being made to suffer as the Walajabad-Oragadam Road has turned dangerous due to the unchecked spillage of sand and stone debris from heavy vehicles.
Walajabad is a busy town near Kancheepuram with a population of over 30,000. The area witnesses constant public movement and heavy traffic throughout the day. The Walajabad-Oragadam Road is a crucial link for people travelling daily to Kancheepuram, Oragadam, Sriperumbudur, Sunguvarchatram and Chengalpattu for work and other needs.
Residents said that heavy lorries carrying blue metal, M-sand and other materials ply on this road round the clock without following basic safety norms. Many of these vehicles travel with open loads, without covering materials, using tarpaulins. As a result, sand and stones spill onto the road, forming dangerous heaps at multiple locations.
Two-wheeler riders are the worst affected. Vehicles skid while passing over loose sand and stones, leading to frequent falls, serious injuries and damage to bikes. Locals say that in some cases, these accidents have even turned fatal.
Two-wheeler riders are the worst affected. Vehicles skid while passing over loose sand and stones, leading to frequent falls, serious injuries and damage to bikes. Locals say that in some cases, these accidents have even turned fatal.
During night hours, the risk multiplies due to poor visibility.
Despite repeated complaints to the Highways Department, residents of Wallajabad said no solution has been implemented. Temporary cleaning is done, which offers only short-term relief as the problem reappears within days.
When contacted, Highways Department officials said that private contractors have been engaged to clear sand and debris from roads. They pointed to recent continuous rainfall as the reason for delays in cleaning work and said that with the rains subsiding, cleanup operations have resumed. Officials also said that enforcing rules on covering loads in heavy vehicles falls under the Transport and Revenue Departments, and said the issue has been taken to their notice.