The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Kennet Lane in a shambles

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Aug 26, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Kennet Lane in a shambles

Staff Reporter

The busy stretch has been dug up for sewer line work Busy stretch in Egmore dug up to lay new sewer line

PITIABLE STATE: The dug- up Kennet Lane, Egmore... an apology for a road . — Photo: K.V.SRINIVASAN

CHENNAI: : Motorists and other road-users face a serious problem in a busy part of Egmore. Kennet Lane, a small stretch which has many hotels and lodging houses that cater to international visitors, is in a shambles.

The Metrowater authorities have dug the entire lane for laying a new sewer line. The work for which started more than three months back has not been completed.

Businessmen of the area, where tourist and omni bus operators also have their offices, complain that the civic work had hit them.

The poor road condition not only affected business, but has very often led to traffic snarls. A few days ago traffic on the road came to a standstill for over half-an-hour, they said.

The situation worsens after a shower, as the clayey soil on the stretch turns slippery. It is difficult for pedestrians to reach the Egmore railway station from the Police Commissioner's Office side.

"The entire stretch turns slushy after even a drizzle. One has to walk very carefully," said a trader.

A businessman with an establishment on Kennet Lane said the work had been progressing well, but stopped suddenly due to the non-renewal of licence by the contractor, who undertook the job. When contacted the Corporation authorities said that Metrowater had to complete its work on the stretch. Only then would it be handed over to the civic body.

However, the Corporation started restoration work on Thursday. But, the sudden downpour affected the work. The work would be completed within a fortnight, provided there were no rains, the authorities added.

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