Sand, debris that accumulate on Chennai roads are not being cleared properly: residents

Residents have complained that the sand and debris that accumulate on roads are not being cleared properly in various zones of the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC), increasing the risk to motorists, besides becoming an eyesore on several stretches.

C. Balaji of Anna Nagar said pedestrians and motorists have complained about the accumulation of debris and sand on many stretches of roads such as Anna Nagar 18th Main Road.

Ward 42 councillor M. Renuka said the residents had urged the GCC to ensure that the road surface was cleared of sand. “We are expecting new vehicles to remove the sand on the carriageway, along the median, and on the side of the road,” she said.

S. Raja of Pudupet said the sand and debris on the carriageway of South Cooum River Road had been causing inconvenience to pedestrians and motorists alike. Ahmed Sirajuddin, a resident of Perambur, demanded that the GCC remove the sand and debris on the roads before the onset of the Northeast monsoon.

Officials of the GCC said the civic body had identified stretches such as Ambedkar Salai near ICF Signal, Shastri Nagar First Avenue, and Munusamy Salai in K.K. Nagar to redesign the stretches, creating a concrete surface or paver block along their sides to facilitate better clearing of sand and debris on the stretches.

‘GCC’s responsibility’

K.P. Subramaniam, former professor of Urban Engineering at Anna University, said: “It is the responsibility of the GCC to effectively maintain the road margins and appurtenances by regular cleaning, sweeping, and removal of the dust, garbage, and debris. Further, the GCC needs to maintain the storm-water drains and remove encroachments. In essence, the GCC is the custodian of the public realm along roads, and to that effect, it should coordinate with other agencies such as the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board and telecom companies.”