TIRUCHY: A subway built beneath a road overbridge in 2016, linking Chinthamani and Odathurai, has turned into a nightmare due to poor maintenance and the absence of police patrolling.
Residents said the Rs 30-crore overbridge was meant to enable seamless traffic flow from Chinthamani to the Chennai Bypass Road. Instead, the subway has become a haven for tipplers, posing a threat to people in and around Odathurai.
Consequently, residents are forced to use the overbridge, travel a considerable distance and make a U-turn to access Odathurai from the other side.
Residents of nearby areas such as Melachinthamani, Keelachinthamani, Pudutheru, Poosari Street, Moovendhan Nagar, Rajiv Gandhi Nagar and Devadhanam say they avoid using the subway owing to lack of proper lighting. It has also become increasingly unsafe since men gather in groups, drink alcohol, smoke weed and create a ruckus.
Complaints were made to the city police on several occasions, but action has been inconsistent. Residents have urged authorities to take immediate action and install adequate lights, clear the stagnant water, clear the broken liquor bottles and also ensure consistent police patrolling.
Speaking to TNIE, C Muthuvel, a resident of Odathurai, said, “Police patrols are restricted to the entrance of the subway.
Officers issue warnings to men gathering there and leave. However, the groups return and the activities inside the subway continue unchecked. Sometimes, the groups also get into fights adding to our fears.”
Rainwater stagnation in the subway during monsoon has been a persistent problem, often remaining there for days or even weeks. Broken bottles, discarded snack packets and scattered eatables make the area unsafe and also unhygienic. Another resident of Chinthamani, R Sathya, said, “Even for funeral processions to the Oyamari crematorium, we cannot use the subway, and are forced to take the bridge amid speeding vehicles risking lives.”
When contacted, a city police official said, “We are regularly patrolling the area. We warn those loitering in the area and also register cases whenever complaints are raised We are also conducting surprise checks. We will take more steps to strengthen surveillance.”
