The Tambaram-Velachery road in Chennai has become hazardous for motorists after months of delayed drinking-water pipeline work left parts of the route covered in mud, slush, potholes and rainwater-filled pits, with an ambulance overturning and injuring its driver and a nurse on Tuesday.
The pipeline project is being carried out by the Metrowater department to transport water from the Nemmeli desalination plant to the city. The route begins at Tambaram East and passes through Selaiyur, Camp Road, Sembakkam, Medavakkam and Pallikaranai before reaching Anna Road in Guindy.
The Tambaram-Velachery road is an important alternative to GST Road. Educational institutions, residential neighbourhoods and shopping malls are located along the corridor, increasing its importance for daily commuters and local traffic.
One side of the road has been excavated to install large water pipes. However, sections where the work has been completed have not been closed or restored, according to the report. The resulting pits, cracks and uneven surfaces have worsened after rain over the past few days.
Rainwater has filled several potholes, making them difficult for road-users to identify. Two-wheeler riders have reportedly been slipping on the slush, while vehicles are moving slowly through the damaged sections. This has caused traffic queues at multiple points along the road.
The ambulance accident occurred when the driver lost control, after which the vehicle struck a roadside wall and overturned. Local people rescued the injured driver and nurse and sent them to Tambaram district headquarters hospital.
Residents have complained that the pipeline work is progressing slowly and that the highways department has not re-laid sections where excavation has already been completed. The condition has left road-users exposed to a combined risk from unfinished utility work, poor surface restoration and rain-related visibility problems.
Highways officials said road restoration could not begin until the road is handed back to the department. They have asked Metrowater authorities to complete the pipe-laying work soon. The highways department said it would re-lay the road after the pipeline work is finished and the corridor is formally handed over.
