Chennai: A 1.5-foot-high stormwater drain and an uneven road surface at the junction of Venkatraman Canal Street and Perambur High Road are making it difficult for two-wheeler riders to cross the busy stretch. Workers laid the road without milling it and raised the stormwater drain by about 1.5 feet, leaving a sharp level difference between the road and the drain, they said. Two-wheeler riders, especially those turning from the narrow Venkatraman Canal Street onto Perambur High Road, struggle to negotiate the junction.Following complaints, the zonal officer in charge of Thiru Vi Ka Nagar Zone visited the spot and met residents.“The official assured us that a proper gradient would be provided to facilitate a smooth transition from Venkatraman Canal Street to Perambur High Road,” said Perambur Neighbourhood Development Forum convener C Raghukumar . “Instead of immediately rectifying the problem, debris was dumped at the location overnight, making the situation worse and further obstructing the movement of vehicles,” he said.Residents said two-wheelers still struggle with the sudden change in level and that authorities have not addressed the issue. They urged Greater Chennai Corporation to provide a proper gradient and remove the debris before an accident occurs. “Who will take responsibility if an accident occurs due to the road condition? The public is the one suffering. Authorities should act before an accident rather than after one,” said T Yugaraj, a Perambur resident.When contacted, Thiru Vi Ka Nagar Zone zonal officer-in-charge Sathish said the stormwater drain and road surface were at the same level along Perambur High Road, a bus route, while the residential street lay lower. “The drain may have a slope, but there would not be any issue for commuters or residents,” he said.
