A damaged and uneven ECR footpath near the bus stop in Tiruvanmiyur is forcing pedestrians, including school students and senior citizens, to walk cautiously or move onto a road used by fast-moving vehicles, residents told DT Next.
The footpath has remained damaged at several places, with loose tiles and uneven stretches reportedly present for about four years. Residents said the condition makes it difficult for people to walk safely, particularly during rain and after dark, when damaged sections are harder to see.
Ramalingam, a shopkeeper in the area, said the tiles and footpath surface become loose and sometimes slippery when it rains. He said the risk is greater at night because pedestrians cannot clearly identify the damaged portions.
The location is also being affected by renovation work at the Tiruvanmiyur terminus. Buses are currently being parked along the roadside, leaving some portions near the footpath concealed. Residents said people urinate in these relatively hidden areas, creating an unpleasant odour around the pedestrian route.
Shathik, a resident, said the stretch is used by a large number of people because it is near a bus stop. According to the resident, the uneven footpath pushes pedestrians onto the road, where they have to negotiate traffic moving at high speed.
A Highway department official told DT Next that a proposal to repair the footpath had already been submitted. The official said work would begin after approval and that the department would examine options for carrying out temporary repairs in the interim.
The official also attributed part of the damage to footpaths being dug up for electricity and telecommunication cable work and not being properly restored. The department said private companies sometimes lay cables without obtaining permission, resulting in damage to the pedestrian surface.
The condition highlights the connection between footpath maintenance and utility coordination on busy city roads. Even where a repair proposal exists, pedestrians continue to face the immediate risk of trips, falls and exposure to traffic until approval and remedial work are completed. The Highway department’s next steps are the approval of the repair proposal and an assessment of temporary measures.
