Chennai Motorists Urge Swift Fix for Perambur Road Hazards
Concerns are mounting among residents and daily commuters as pothole-ridden stretches along Perambur High Road continue to jeopardise road safety, despite prior complaints and civic assurances. With patchwork repairs proving ineffective against recurring rains, the community is demanding urgent, sustainable intervention from the city corporation. Amid ongoing urban mobility issues, citizens feel neglected as deteriorating infrastructure hampers both daily transit and broader road safety in one of North Chennai’s busiest corridors.
The battered condition of Perambur High Road reflects a larger pattern of civic inefficiency, where arterial and inner roads remain riddled with potholes despite repeated calls for repair. Motorists say that these potholes pose constant dangers—especially for two-wheelers—and that even minor rain renders the road surface treacherously slippery. Residents have expressed dissatisfaction with superficial repairs that use low-quality materials like cold mix, which quickly wash away, worsening the situation. While the Corporation claims jet patching machines are available, their underutilisation continues to frustrate citizens who feel civic accountability is falling short. Frustration among local road users has grown as repeated digital complaints go unanswered. Several residents noted that even after receiving acknowledgements from officials on social media, no visible repair work has taken place for over a week. This has led to questions about the Corporation’s commitment to sustainable urban upkeep.
Motorists are also highlighting risks to life and property, as poorly lit potholes during night travel significantly increase the chance of accidents. With heavy monsoon showers intensifying the problem, the absence of long-term repairs raises concerns over the city’s preparedness for weather-linked urban resilience. In addition to the road’s craters, unkempt medians, encroachments, and lack of drainage management further compound the threat to mobility and safety. Several residents believe that a reactive civic culture, rather than a proactive infrastructure strategy, is responsible for such recurring failures. They have called for the implementation of durable, climate-resilient surfacing and routine maintenance schedules to avoid seasonal road degradation. Civic inaction on such vital corridors not only delays commute times but also undermines confidence in urban governance, particularly in expanding neighbourhoods like Perambur.
While civic authorities have reportedly begun preliminary repair work in other zones, residents insist that Perambur High Road must be prioritised due to its high daily traffic volume. Urban mobility experts have also noted that effective pothole repair using jet patching machines and durable materials can significantly cut accident risks while boosting commute efficiency. Public safety and equitable access to basic urban infrastructure must guide Chennai’s road repair policy. With a rising number of vehicles and erratic climate patterns, Chennai’s roads demand more than temporary fixes—they need long-term, sustainable planning aligned with smart city goals. Chennai’s promise as a liveable, inclusive metropolis depends on how swiftly and equitably it resolves such chronic civic issues.
