Raised manhole covers in the middle of the road at several places in Vellore city have become a cause for concern for road users as they hinder smooth flow of traffic, besides causing mishaps.
The Vellore Corporation began phase I of the Under Ground Drainage System project towards the end of March 2009.
The project covers 24 wards of the Old Vellore Corporation limit and more than 80 per cent of the work has been completed.
The project included digging the ground in the middle of road on the streets, laying of sewer lines and connecting the houses to the sewage pipeline and the main pipeline. Building manholes and restoration of roads were also part of the project.
With the project nearing completion, the raised covers of the manholes, dug as part of the project, are causing hindrance to traffic flow with road users complaining that these were causing accidents.
Kamaraj, a motorist, said he had to watch out for such covers in areas like Filter Bed Road and Chunnambukara Street.
“Since the manhole is located on the middle of the road, vehicle users are the most affected,” said Krishnakumar, a student. He said people using small streets in Saidapet, Kosapet and Salavanpet experienced a bumpy ride.
Corporation Engineer Baskar said besides the road restoration work, the local body was now taking steps to prepare estimates for laying new roads in all areas. So, when the new roads are laid, the manhole covers will be levelled to the road surface.
Officials also said more than 2,400 manholes will be levelled and more than 80 per cent of the work had been completed. Under the project, there will be around 30 manholes for every kilometre.
They said the Corporation would begin the UGDS work on the pending 3.6-km stretch on the National Highways in the coming week. Hence, the work on manholes was pending on the NH and on another 2.5-km road in the interior areas.