Subway flooded, motorists drive on walkways

Motorists said they resorted to the cross-over in order avoid taking a circuitous route, either through the Perambur flyover or through the Vyasarpadi flyover, in order to reach their destination.

The subway is North Chennai’s primary access from Perambur Barracks Road to Dr Ambedkar College Road. The road leading to the subway was closed at Pulianthope High Road junction and also at Stephenson Road junction. Only a few cops were present at the spot, and they could do little about motorists using the pedestrian walkway, and a section of pedestrians crossed the railway tracks. An MTC bus which attempted to wade through with its muscle was stuck and a tow vehicle was called in to remove it from the subway.

A senior Corporation official said that the flooding of the recently renovated subway occurred due to a leak in the side drain connecting the subway to the Otteri Nullah. “In addition, the supply was unmanageable for some hours. The water was pumped out using generator support, which had problems. But we fixed this and the subway was opened up in the later in the afternoon,” the official said.

Following reports of several areas flooded after Monday’s heavy downpour, City Commissioner of Police, AK Viswanathan, on Tuesday inspected Pulianthope, Vyasarpadi and Ganesapuram subways. After consulting with fellow officials he ordered cops to drain the stagnant water from subways and clear the route for smooth flow of traffic, at the earliest. 

Meanwhile, Chennai police has formed a special task force, comprising of 100 Armed Reserve personnel, to handle emergency situations during heavy rains in the city. Trained by the State Disaster Response Force, they have been split into 10 groups. One of the teams on Tuesday jumped into action and cleared the water-logged Rukmani Laskhmipathi Salai in Egmore, enabling flow of traffic. The special task force teams, armed with ropes and shovels, have also been trained to rescue stranded people by using boats.