CHENNAI: Negotiating the pothole-ridden Chennai-Bengaluru National Highway can be taxing. On the eve of Deepavali, a large number of vehicles and a battered road from Nerkundram to Thirumazhisai were an ordeal for motorists.Besides, invisible potholes, dirt and dust up to Poonamallee pose a grave risk to motorists.
Locals say their repeated plea to authorities to repair the potholes fell on deaf ears. “A few days ago, it took nearly 70 minutes to cover the 4-km distance between Maduravayol and Nerkundram by car. We have made several representations through various forums, but nothing has changed. The road is completely ruined and not fit for use,” said R Kanniyappan of Maduravayol.
While the recent rain has made the road worse, the dirt and dust particularly add to the woes of two-wheeler riders. K Rajan, an employee of a food company at Poonamallee, said at times, he lost visibility of vehicles due to mud and dust. “The mud flying on the road almost disrupts visibility and it also increases the chances of accidents. Many people fell from two-wheelers after hitting stones hidden in the water-stagnated pits,” he said.
A visit reveals that Maduravayol, Nerkundram, Velappanchavadi, Maran Nagar and Abirami Nagar junctions have several pits and potholes.Apart from locals, motorists heading to Vellore, Bengaluru and Krishnagiri face hardship as vehicles pile up at almost all major junctions up to Irungattukottai.
According to a traffic assessment, about 1000 vehicles pass through the road every hour during normal days. It increases to 1,500 to 2,000 during festival and peak hours.
Though the road has not been widened to six lanes from Poonamallee to Walajah, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) continues to collect toll for the 89 km road at Sriperumbudur and Walajah toll booths. The long trenches dug up for about 30 km at Kancheepuram-Ocheri- Kaveripakkam-Walajah stretch for widening the road pose another threat to motorists safety.
“The trenches dug up on the borders of the second lane on both sides for a third lane remain uncovered for more than a year. Even during minor accidents, vehicles fall into these trenches,” said Santhosh N of Vellore.
When contacted, NHAI officials said the contract has been cancelled for the previous company which delayed the widening work. New tenders have been floated. “As far as the damaged road is concerned, patch up work will be carried out soon,” the officer said.