Motorists and schoolchildren in several parts of Tambaram City Corporation are facing a fresh hazard on roads already affected by potholes and damaged surfaces: uneven patches laid after roads are dug up for water supply and underground drainage (UGD) works.

In several locations, the excavated portions have been restored with concrete, but the surface has not been brought back to its original level. Two-wheeler riders and cyclists are forced to suddenly change direction to avoid the rough patches, while motorists have to slow down and manoeuvre around them, affecting the smooth flow of traffic.

A visit to several roads from Pallavaram to Tambaram showed that the problem was particularly acute at a number of locations. Here are six trouble spots:

Driving along Sivasankaran Street near Pallavaram railway station towards the flyover leading to Shandy Road has become difficult. The approach to the flyover has several uneven and damaged portions, forcing motorists to move towards either edge of the carriageway to avoid the rough surface. Sudden U-turns by autorickshaws and vehicles from the service road add to the risk. There is also a lack of clarity over whether the affected portion comes under Tambaram Corporation or the Cantonment Board. Corporation Commissioner S. Balachandran said he would look into the issue.

Railway Border Road, popularly known as Vaishnava College Border Road, is used by hundreds of motorists to Tirusulam towards the Metro station or seeking to avoid GST Road congestion. A portion of the road, which was laid about six months ago, was dug up last month for pipe-laying work. Though it was subsequently filled and restored with concrete, the patch remains uneven. With the road already narrow, two-wheeler riders tend to avoid the affected portion.

On Chitlapakkam Main Road, a stretch from the R.P. Road junction was recently dug up for laying water pipelines and restored with concrete. While several patches are manageable, the stretch diagonally opposite Varadaraja Cinemas near the autorickshaw stand remains particularly uneven. Street vendors said two-wheeler riders, including women, had lost balance while negotiating the patch.

Ayyasamy School Street in Ward 35, Chromepet, located between the MTC depot, a petrol bunk, several schools and the MIT campus, has also been dug up at multiple points for drinking water pipeline work. The uneven surfaces have made cycling difficult for school students. Saranya, a student, said her bicycle had suffered punctures at least twice in the past fortnight while using the road.

The Agaram Main Road near the Camp Road junction in Ward 45, Tambaram, presents a different problem. A portion of the road is covered with sand and mud in connection with the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board’s Nemmeli Seawater Desalination Project. A mound of mud in the middle of the road poses a risk to motorists, particularly school and college students. Councillor ‘Kodi’ Dhamodharan said concrete patches were being laid on a priority basis and that the road would be re-laid soon.

At the Thiruporur Road-Hasthinapuram bus stand junction, encroachments have already reduced the available road space. A large pothole at the junction makes it difficult for motorists, pedestrians and school and office-goers to negotiate the stretch.

Munusamy, a long-time resident, said several minor accidents caused by the poor road condition went unreported. “Before any major tragedy occurs, the Corporation should prioritise blacktopping the roads to ensure motorists’ safety,” he said.

Corporation Commissioner’s response

Corporation Commissioner S. Balachandran said the cost of road works and shortage of bitumen were among the factors affecting full-scale blacktopping. Concrete patches, he said, were being laid on a priority basis as an immediate solution to ensure the continuous movement of vehicles.

“Instead of waiting for blacktopping, concrete mix is done to ensure continuous free flow of vehicle movement, taking into account the traffic mobility of the road,” he said.

On complaints about uneven surfaces, he said defects would be rectified if brought to the Corporation’s notice. He also appealed to the public to wait until the cement had dried fully before using the repaired portions, as movement over the wet surface could leave impressions and result in uneven patches.

Meanwhile, cracks have reportedly developed on the MIT flyover roundabout. S.M. Govindarajan, founder-president of the United Federation of Residents’ Welfare Associations under Tambaram Corporation, said the Highways Department had filled the cracks with concrete or bitumen instead of relaying the affected portion fully.

He also pointed to a large crater-like depression on the downward slope of the Pallavaram-Thoraipakkam flyover on GST Road east, which he said had become accident-prone.

“I myself skidded twice on the stretch. When contacted, the Highways Department said a new tender would be called,” he said.

Residents and activists urged the Corporation and Highways Department to adopt better restoration methods for roads dug up for pipelines and other development works, instead of relying on temporary measures.

Published - August 22, 2026 10:54 pm IST