Citizen Connect: Residents complain of substandard road works in Anna Nagar’s avenues, officials deny

Despite the Greater Chennai Corporation leveling the pothole-ridden roads around the Fifth and Sixth Avenue in Anna Nagar three months ago, the residents complained that the patchworks have been damaged during the rain and roads have become uneven due to substandard execution of the civic body.

According to R Raju, an auto driver in the locality, 10 months ago, the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) had laid the water pipes connecting Shanthi Colony and Sixth Avenue via the Fifth Avenue. “After finishing up the pipe works, the civic body took a significant time to relay the roads. Even then, the substandard road works lead to frequent patchworks. We are tired of complaining to the authorities.”

The commuters also alleged that there were many accidents after the bikes coming from the Second Avenue lose balance due to uneven roads. “Apart from bikes, even people who are crossing the road during night time are facing the difficulties,” Raju added.

The residents claimed that roads in their area are becoming dangerous to commute due to the unevenness of the road. “This is the main road connecting Anna Nagar west towards Shanthi Colony and EVR Periyar Salai. There are many commercial establishments and schools in the area but still, the civil body is not showing any interest to lay standard roads across Anna Nagar,” said a resident of the Fifth Avenue.

When DT Next contacted a senior official at Zone 8 of the Corporation, the official denied the allegations lodged by the residents and claimed that the laying of roads followed by patchworks were frequently done by the civic body. “At the end of monsoon rains, the patchworks were washed off. We are constantly rectifying the issues and we will start the work in the Fifth and Sixth Avenue in the next few days.” The official also denied that the patchworks on fifth avenue were at sub-standard level, and said that they were fine and said that they have already started to relay the roads in third and fourth avenues and the fifth and sixth avenue road works would be finished soon.