Chennai Residents Face Daily Hazards from Incomplete Cable Work
For over two weeks, pedestrians crossing West Avenue Road in Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai, have been forced to navigate dangerous traffic conditions due to shoddily completed underground cable-laying work. The debris left behind has blocked the pavement, compelling residents to walk directly on the 1.5-lane-wide road, where they must dodge MTC buses and speeding two-wheelers.
Residents Report Accidents and Demand Urgent Action
Local residents from Appu Colony, which adjoins the road, have voiced serious concerns about safety. Many elderly individuals have suffered minor accidents after tripping over the debris. Prithivi Raj, a colony resident, highlighted a recent incident: "Last week, a middle-aged woman fell from her scooter near the barricade. The cable work itself was completed in just three days, but no one understands why the authorities are taking so long to clear the site and remove the debris."
Neelakandan, a resident of LB Road, emphasized the broader impact: "West Avenue Road is the primary route for people heading from Thiruvanmiyur to OMR. Hindering free access on this road is unacceptable. We have endured this inconvenience for too long, and the debris must be removed immediately to restore safety."
Authorities Pass the Buck on Responsibility
When contacted, Tangedco officials shifted responsibility, stating that only the barricades belonged to them, not the actual work. An assistant engineer explained: "This division involved the installation of a 230 KV line, which was entirely undertaken by the Tamil Nadu Transmission Corporation (Tantransco). Since they initiated the work, it is their duty to complete it properly."
In response, Tantransco Managing Director C Shivakumar has promised to address the issue at the earliest, though residents remain skeptical given the prolonged delay. The situation underscores a critical failure in urban infrastructure management, putting public safety at risk in a densely populated area of Chennai.
