Damaged Arcot Road Stretch from Vadapalani to Kodambakkam Leaves Commuters Struggling
Commuters traveling along Arcot Road between Vadapalani and Kodambakkam in Chennai are facing daily ordeals as several pockets of the stretch remain severely damaged due to ongoing Chennai Metro Rail Phase II construction. In response to growing commuter distress, Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) officials have announced that they will shortly take up work to relay the damaged road stretch.
The affected section on Arcot Road is part of Corridor 4 in the 118.9-km Phase II network, which extends from Poonamallee to Light House via Vadapalani and Kodambakkam. Construction along this corridor commenced nearly five years ago and remains in progress across several parts of Arcot Road. This prolonged work has added to the disappointment of commuters who are already experiencing delays in the opening of the Phase II network.
Commuters passing through the Vadapalani-Kodambakkam stretch report that the road is riddled with worn-out and uneven patches, making trips unpleasant and difficult. S. Arumainathan, who frequently commutes to Kodambakkam via Arcot Road, noted that there is barely any space left for pedestrians to walk safely. He stated that authorities should take responsibility to keep the road intact while commuters put up with construction, questioning why damaged roads are not repaired immediately.
The poor road surface has severely aggravated traffic congestion as motorists struggle to navigate the uneven terrain. V. Seetharaman, a resident of Alwarthirumanagar, stated that he has witnessed motorists skid and fall on the stretch on multiple occasions. He highlighted that recent short spells of rain have made conditions even more dangerous, particularly for two-wheeler riders.
In addition to the damaged surface, private vehicles, construction vehicles, and debris left near medians in several locations continue to choke traffic flow along Arcot Road. Residents have demanded that authorities remove the debris and clearance obstacles. CMRL officials confirmed that the relaying process will begin soon to repair the stretch and restore smooth transit.
