Neglected subway poses threat!

CHENNAI: Residents of Nanganallur and Pazhavanthangal are a disgruntled lot when it comes to passing by the Pazhavanthangal subway to other places. The subway, the shortest route to reach the Grand Southern Trunk Road (GST Road) from the interiors of these areas, is full of potholes filled with water, make passing through the stretch a nightmare for motorists.The water in the subway remains all through the year as groundwater seeps through the sidewalls and only during the rainy season, the excess stagnant water is pumped out using motors. The most dangerous are the large potholes, which take infrequent travelers by surprise. Naveen Neelakantan, a long time resident of Nanganallur, says, “There have been many incidents of two-wheeler riders falling off their vehicles. Once during the rains, a car got stuck inside.” He also says that the shops above the subway also let waste water into the subway.David, a resident of Pazhavanthangal, says, “The effect that the bumpy roads in the city have on our vehicles is one thing. Taking my car and bike through the slushy, dirty water of the subway every day is quite irksome.”Although there are other ways out, the residents will have to take circuitous routes through Thillai Ganga Nagar subway, which is in a bad state too. Or, one should go all the way to Meenambakkam and wait to get past the railway crossing.The subway comes under Ward 162 of the Chennai Corporation since last year’s local body elections. Councillor P Muthu visited the subway with City Express and said that he had already consulted the PWD and had been told that nothing could be done about the groundwater seepage situation. “We are still looking for a viable solution,” he said. Regarding the road condition, he said nothing can be done until the water was removed.