Residents furious over sad state of roads

CHENNAI: Residents of Puzhuthivakkam are angry about what they call the inordinate delay in laying roads in the neighbourhood, despite requisite approvals being granted by the State agencies.    Surrounded by Adambakkam, Madipakkam, Nanganallur and Velachery, Puzhuthivakkam abuts the southern sector of the Inner Ring Road (IRR).The interiors of the neighbourhood are now widely used as a transit route to reach Velachery railway station besides other destinations on the IRR. The Ramalinga Nagar Main Road and the Village Road in Puzhuthivakkam are among the routes used to reach the IRR. The condition of the roads is, however, pathetic. P Rangaswamy, chairman of the Social Service Trust, a voluntary civic organisation, said the Commissionerate of Municipal Administration gave its nod for laying about a dozen roads in the neighbourhood a year ago. “Barring a few locations, the roads remain unlaid.”Stating that blue metal was dumped on Ramalinga Nagar Main Road a month-and-a-half ago, he said work was yet to start.“Think of our plight. Leave alone using vehicles, even walking on the road is very difficult.”  Asked about the civic grievances, an official of the Ullagaram-Puzhuthivakkam Municipality said the blue metal was dumped only two weeks back. “We understand the trouble. It is, however, only temporary. We have asked the contractor to rigidly conform to the quality specifications. The work will be over quickly.” On the status of the Village Road, he added that it would be relaid along with the Ramalinga Nagar Main Road.