Traffic diversion to reach 1 st Main Road

| S VENKATESHWARAN |

The ongoing sewage pipe replacement work on 1st Main Road
in Nanganallur, being carried out by Greater Chennai
Corporation, is continuing in phases, with traffic diversions
currently in place for commuters and residents.
Earlier, a stretch of 1st Main Road near Rela Clinic and Needs
Supermarket was closed for major sewage pipe replacement
and connection works. That portion has now been reopened for
public use, and the work has moved further ahead along the
busy road.
At present, full-scale work is taking place on the stretch from
Aditya Birla showroom up to HDFC Bank towards Bharath
Hospital on 1st Main Road. Due to continuous digging activities
and sewage pipe laying work, the road from Needs
Supermarket to the HDFC Bank stretch has been completely
blocked. Earthmovers and construction equipment placed on
the road have also added to traffic restrictions in the area.
To regulate vehicle movement, commuters travelling from
Vanuvampet towards 1st Main Road are being guided to use
alternative routes. Motorists are currently advised to travel
through Ram Nagar 1st Main Road, continue via Ram Nagar
2nd Main Road, and proceed through the Sydney Hospital

route to reach 2nd Main Road in Nanganallur. From there, they
can access other interior roads and reach 1st Main Road.
Residents have also requested the authorities to speed up the
ongoing sewage infrastructure work and complete the project at
the earliest possible time. In several parts of Nanganallur,
where the work has not yet begun, newly-brought giant sewage
pipes have reportedly been kept along the roadside for the past
few months.
According to local residents, the large pipes placed near
residential stretches have reduced parking space and created
inconvenience for people parking their cars and two-wheelers.
Many residents have suggested that, until the work officially
begins in those areas, the pipes could be temporarily shifted to
locations where they would not disturb daily public movement
or residential parking.
Many people have expressed patience and hope that the
upgraded sewage system will help prevent future drainage-
related issues in the area.