For more than seven years, motorists traversing the 5km-long, 60ft-wide Nookampalayam Main Road in Perumbakkam have been subjected to a harrowing and hazardous journey. Potholes, some as large as two to four feet and three to four inches deep, litter the road, creating a treacherous path for commuters connecting Perumbakkam with OMR in Semmancheri.
On any given day, children, parents, and caretakers navigate this messy road, with many experiencing slips and skids due to the road’s deplorable condition. Residents lament the lack of attention from the Greater Chennai Corporation, noting that while neighbouring areas like Pallikaranai and Semmancheri witness road relaying efforts, Perumbakkam seems forgotten.
The gravity of the situation is exacerbated by the presence of essential institutions like hospitals, schools, banks, software companies, and engineering colleges in the vicinity. As schools reopen, the anticipated increase in vehicle density amplifies the urgency for road repairs. Compounding the issue, evening and nocturnal rains cloak the potholes beneath puddles, heightening the risk for motorists.
Residents express frustration as the road’s poor condition deters cab and auto services, effectively confining them to their homes. While state highways have initiated projects to lay stormwater drains and repair roads simultaneously, the current efforts have only exacerbated the road’s deterioration. Highways officials assure residents that once drainage works are completed, road relaying will swiftly follow, with meticulous attention to structural integrity and surfacing materials. The reassurances, however, offer little solace to residents weary of years of neglect and inconvenience. The saga of Perumbakkam Road serves as a poignant reminder of the critical need for infrastructure upkeep and the detrimental consequences of prolonged negligence on public safety and well-being
