The Manavalanagar road over bridge (ROB) in Tiruvallur is posing a safety risk to pedestrians after missing and broken concrete slabs forced commuters to walk close to moving traffic, residents said, prompting the State Highways department to promise a site inspection and immediate safety measures.
The ROB lies on State Highway 50, an arterial route connecting Tirumazhisai and Uthukottai. It is used by pedestrians, motorists, daily commuters and heavy vehicles to cross the Cooum and railway tracks. Residents said the bridge, its pedestrian pathway and approach roads have deteriorated because of inadequate maintenance.
The pedestrian steps and elevated pavement near the ROB are used by commuters travelling to and from Tiruvallur Railway Station. K Baskar of Manavalanagar said dozens of people depend on the steps every morning and evening to cross the area on foot.
According to Baskar, thick creepers and wild bushes have grown around the staircase and approach road, restricting access. He also said snakes are frequently seen in the overgrown vegetation, creating an additional danger for pedestrians using the route.
The condition of the footway on the bridge has raised a more immediate traffic-safety concern. Residents said several concrete slabs are missing, while others are cracked or broken. As a result, pedestrians are being pushed onto the carriageway, where they have to move alongside fast-moving vehicles. A Anantha Krishnan of Tiruvallur said the risk becomes more serious during evening rush hours and warned that the situation could lead to a major accident if it remains unaddressed.
The bridge’s pedestrian infrastructure is particularly important because the ROB provides a route across both the Cooum and railway tracks. Damage to the walkway therefore affects not only the condition of a public asset but also how commuters reach nearby transport facilities. The overgrown vegetation on the approach and steps further reduces the usable space available to people walking through the area.
A senior State Highways official in Tiruvallur said the pavements on the ROB fall under the department’s jurisdiction. The official said field officials would be instructed to inspect the site and initiate immediate measures for pedestrian safety and overall maintenance.
The department’s inspection and the promised maintenance action will determine whether the missing slabs, broken sections and overgrown vegetation are addressed together. Until then, residents continue to report unsafe conditions on a bridge used daily by pedestrians and road traffic.
