Sun Jan 05 19:24:07 UTC 2025: **Chennai Roads Remain a Bumpy Ride Despite Corporation’s Efforts**
**Chennai, January 6, 2025** – Despite the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) completing repairs on over 2,000 roads in 2024 at a cost of ₹401.58 crore, complaints regarding damaged roads persist across the city. While the GCC claims significant progress under various schemes including the State Finance Commission (SFC) and Nagarpura Salaigal Membattu Thittam (NSMT), residents report numerous stretches remaining in disrepair.
Residents cite specific examples of poorly maintained roads, including damaged sections near Virugambakkam, Nanganallur, Kodungaiyur, Royapuram, Adambakkam, Kilpauk, and Guindy. Many issues stem from incomplete patchwork, potholes, and damage caused by heavy vehicle diversions due to ongoing Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) projects. Roads near CMRL construction sites in areas like Saligramam are particularly affected.
The GCC acknowledges the ongoing problems and reports that 1,076 out of 1,188 Bus Route Roads (BRR) and Interior Route Roads (IRR) targeted under the SFC have been completed. However, progress on other schemes is less substantial, with hundreds of roads yet to be repaired or even started under the NSMT and Tamil Nadu Urban Road Infrastructure Fund (Turif).
To address the issue, the Corporation plans to release tenders by the end of January for road repairs in the upcoming financial year and will acquire 15 mobile jet patchwork machines to speed up pothole repairs on major routes. However, for Chennai residents, the promise of smoother roads remains a work in progress.
First Piper 