CHENNAI: Hundreds of motorists use Palla Street in Agraharam, Korattur to reach the Korattur railway station subway and Jawaharlal Nehru Salai everday, facing enormous hardships.
Residents have been calling on the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) to repair the street, which is currently riddled with potholes and uneven surface. Additionally, multiple silt catch pits located below the road surface have made the area accident-prone.
According to the residents of Agraharam, Palla Street, which spans approximately 1 kilometre, was last laid three years ago, following the completion of Stormwater drain (SWD) work. Since then, no major road relaying has been undertaken. Despite several complaints to GCC officials, no action has been taken. Vehicles from Jawaharlal Nehru Salai take Palla Street and North Station Road to reach the Korattur subway, bus stand and East Avenue Road.
A proposal has been submitted for the re-laying of the street, and the issue will be addressed within the next couple of days, according to a Greater Chennai Corporation official
R Rakesh, a resident of Agraharam, stated, "A week ago, a woman fell after hitting a silt catch pit located below the road surface and fractured her elbow. These multiple pits, located in the centre of the carriageway at regular intervals, test motorists throughout the day. The risks are even higher at night. Furthermore, due to water stagnation in the SWD recently, the mosquito menace has increased."
Another resident, M Moorthy of Agraharam, echoed these concerns, noting that multiple potholes and craters on the stretch increase the risk of skidding and accidents. "We urge the Chennai Corporation to relay the entire one-kilometre stretch," he said.