No progress in widening of Chennai-Tiruvallur road

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The Chennai-Tiruvallur High Road (NH-205) widening work proposed over two years ago by the ministry of shipping, road transport and highways, has been put in the back burner and hundreds of vehicle users and pedestrians are put to severe hardship.

According to local residents, the 21-km stretch is highly congested and dangerous as it lacks pavements on either side. Accidents have become a routine affair between Avadi and Tiruvallur as there is no median along the stretch.

Widening of the stretch from Padi to Tiruninravur has been a long-standing demand of the locals following frequent accidents along the stretch. In many places, including Padi, Ambattur and Avadi, the road is just 30 feet wide,” said Roy Rozario, a resident of Pattabiram. “The road that serves as a vital link between Chennai and Tirupati causes discomfort and increase in travel time due to poor maintenance,” he added.

Former Union minister for highways T.R. Baalu announced that the road would be widened up to 200 feet. But, following protests by local traders, he agreed to widen it to 150 feet. However, after the regime change, the project has hit a roadblock owing to political pressure, say sources.

“Nearly five lakh residents of Avadi and its neighbouring areas are affected by the delay in the road widening work. Several development projects have been held up owing to lack of co-ordination from the national highways department. “We have no idea as to when the project will resume”, said a senior official in Avadi municipality.

When contacted, a senior official in Tiruvallur district collectorate said, “We have not received any communication from the national highways department as to when the project will take off.”