Key link roads in a bad shape
A pit at the Krishnaswamy Road - Pankaja Mill Road Junction in the city poses problems to vehicle users.Two key link roads that help decongest the Ramanathapuram Junction signal are in a bad shape. Krishnaswamy Nagar Main Road and Tiruvalluvar Nagar Main Road offer a bumpy ride and are in need of repairs soon.A clear indication of this is provided when one enters Krishnaswamy Nagar from Pankaja Mill Road.A pit dug for laying a pipe welcomes people into the colony. In a few feet from there, the ordeal begins for vehicle users. They have to negotiate potholes of various shapes and sizes on a road that is less than a km. Residents say that most of the bylanes also have potholes that are risky for two-wheeler users.A woman shopkeeper says that only a couple of bylanes are in a tolerable condition, but they too have potholes. A right turn from the Krishnaswamy Nagar Main Road into a bylane brings one to the Sowripalayam Road.
Both the roads provide access to a slew of residential colonies along Tiruchi Road. And both are used by people who want to avoid the signal at the junction. This way, these roads prove an effective bypass within the city.A similar stretch that is in poor shape is the Tiruvalluvar Nagar Road that connects Tiruchi Road with Nanjundapuram Road.
This stretch also helps people avoid the signal. Instead of heading for Nanjundapuram and Podanur through the junction, people can take this bypass.But, pits dug for laying cables or drinking water lines torment people driving every type of vehicle."A heavily loaded lorry got stuck in one of the pits," says K.M. Marudachalam, a resident. "It took hours for the vehicle to be moved and traffic was hit during this period," he says.
The road has not been given a fresh black top ever since it was laid three years ago, he alleges.The number of vehicles using this road has increased sharply as people are intent on avoiding the congested junction. This is a two-way route.Vehicles from Podanur that are bound for Ondipudur or even other districts such as Salem or Tiruchi take this road as they need not wait at the signal.Therefore, this road has to be strong and properly maintained, he says.
Mayor R. Venkatachalam says that Krishnaswamy Road and the bylanes are to be re-laid. A substantial outlay is being prepared. The re-laying will begin after the construction of a culvert.Meanwhile patchworks at Rs.50,000 will begin soon. The Tiruvalluvar Nagar Road also will be improved, he says."I have asked the officials concerned to follow-up on the patchworks with the contractors. We need to re-lay the roads before the monsoon sets in (in June)," he says.
Mayor R. Venkatachalam says that Krishnaswamy Road and the bylanes are to be re-laid. A substantial outlay is being prepared. The re-laying will begin after the construction of a culvert.Meanwhile patchworks at Rs.50,000 will begin soon. The Tiruvalluvar Nagar Road also will be improved, he says."I have asked the officials concerned to follow-up on the patchworks with the contractors. We need to re-lay the roads before the monsoon sets in (in June)," he says.
