Chennai: Avadi corporation received its largest-ever fund allocation of 49 crore to re-lay more than 400 roads. The move followed extensive road damage caused by underground sewage and drinking water supply work. “Of the total 780 roads, 487 will be re-laid at an estimated cost of 41.8 crore. The work is being carried out on interior roads, especially those leading to schools, bus stops, and hospitals. Additional funds of 7.8 crore were allocated for eight major roads, including Kamarajar Nagar road and Pachaiamman Koil road, which were long-pending demands from residents. This is the largest-ever road sanction for the corporation,” said corporation commissioner R Saranya.
To ensure that there were no immediate road cuts and that roads remained durable for a long period, corporation has asked for inspection reports to be submitted. Contractors were told not to re-lay roads without the presence of officials. “We are also planning to conduct sample testing of materials, as there were limited technical staff earlier. Roads will be inspected before bills are paid to contractors,” Saranya added.Residents say inadequate monitoring by authorities during road-laying works was one of the main reasons for poor condition of roads. “In many areas, the underground work had not yet begun, but corporation started re-laying roads. After roads are laid, departments carry out road cuts for sewage and water connections. This is a waste of taxpayers’ money,” said J Jayakumar, general secretary of Bharathiyar Nagar Residents Welfare Association in Pattabiram.
