By The Hindu Bureau
Copyright thehindu
The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) is set to complete the Ganesapuram subway within 10 days, more than two years after the construction began.
“The bridge work will continue. A bituminous road will be laid for a width of seven metres on both sides, and additional street lights are being installed to improve safety. To prevent water stagnation, pumping capacity in the area will also be enhanced,” a GCC official said.
“These measures are aimed at ensuring smoother transit and better flood management during the course of the work on the subway and adjoining infrastructure,” he added.
C. Raghukumar from the Perambur Neighborhood Development Forum said water stagnation was a persistent problem.
“The Corporation said that motors and tractors would be deployed if necessary. However, we are advocating for long-term solutions, such as the construction of storm-water drains and ensuring an optimal gradient for water flow. Take the Perambur subway for example — the slope is inadequate, and there are speed breakers obstructing the water flow. These issues need to be addressed to prevent stagnation.”
‘Subway neglected’
Meanwhile, Perambur residents have been expressing concerns about another subway nearby, which has not been maintained despite multiple complaints.
This narrow limited-use subway, below the railway tracks in Kasturi Bai Gandhi Nagar, is used as a two-way path, and is damaged, and lacks illumination.
Mr. Raghukumar said, “A barricade was placed on one side of the subway to restrict the traffic to one direction. The Southern Railway officials had said this was not a subway, but a waterway that the Corporation could close off during the rest of the year. It should be widened using precast technology as hundreds of motorists use it as a shortcut.”
K. Shekar, 65, a regular commuter through this underpass, said that no improvements had been made so far. “If there were similar issues in the South Chennai region, it would have been resolved immediately. Moreover, people here are not inclined to report road and infrastructure problems to the officials. North Chennai has received less attention as a result,” he said.
