Residents in Choolaimedu urge Corporation to expeditebridge reconstruction work

For many months now, residents of Tamilar Veethi in Choolaimedu have been taking a detour to travel to nearby areas and the Arumbakkam Metro Rail Station as the bridge over the Virugambakkam Canal here had to be demolished and reconstructed to enable uninterrupted flow of water.

K.G. Manoharan, a resident of Tamilar Veethi, said the bridge served as a crucial link for many like him to commute to areas such as MMDA Colony and Anna Nagar. “Now, if I have to travel to Anna Nagar, I’m forced to take diversion via Padmanabha Nagar and Periyar Pathai to reach 100 Feet Road and then to my destination. It has been nearly eight months since the work began. Should it take so long to complete a bridge?” he asked. Sudha Ramalingam, an activist, lawyer, and a resident of Tamilar Veethi said those taking trains from the nearest Arumbakkam Metro Rail Station have to endure a longer, tiring walk due to the detour. Residents of the street have been demanding that a walkway be created on the embankment of the canal so that people can easily reach the station.

“For some distance, there exists a walkway, but it is blocked by encroachments. We have been demanding for years now that encroachments be removed and a walkway be created. It is very disappointing that no action has been taken. Along with the bridge work, they could have taken up this too,” she added.

Ms. Ramalingam also added that it is disappointing that Chennai Metro Rail does not have any last-mile connectivity services to take people to and from the station. Officials of the Greater Chennai Corporation said they were expediting the work and it will be completed in a month. “For three months, the contractor could not carry out the work due to monsoon. But we will finish it shortly,” an official said.