A view of the busy Pallavaram – Kundrathur road | Photo Credit: Velankanni Raj B
Motorists using the Pallavaram – Kundrathur road are accustomed to its daily traffic jams and slow vehicular movement. However, many avoid the road leading to the airport because of the unpredictable nature of traffic on the stretch that provides connectivity to places like Porur, Poonamallee and beyond.
Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) area committee secretary of Kundrathur, M. Raja, said the widening of the road was necessary as the traffic was unmanageable. “Many residents prefer to take a roundabout route to go through the Outer Ring Road to avoid getting caught in the hassle. However, there too, the Tirunirmalai road that runs through Chromepet is in a bad condition,” he added.
The government had announced the widening of the road a few years ago and the highways department started the project about four years ago. The process of land acquisition is in the final stage in one of the six revenue villages through which the road passes.
The road passes through residential cum commercial areas in Kancheepuram and Chengalpattu districts, and is always busy. Mr. Raja said that the progress of the widening project is very slow. “We are planning to petition the district collector and the highways department, asking that the work be expedited,” he said, adding that adequate compensation should be given to the project-affected persons.
C. Sekar, a weaver from Anakaputhur, said that though the distance between Pallavaram and Anakaputhur was only 4 km, it took them around 45 minutes to cross the stretch. “The traffic is very heavy, mostly two-wheelers. The peak hours extend from 7 am to 10 am and then from 4.30 pm to 9 pm, leaving no space for pedestrians,” he said. Said.