Chennai's Road Revamp Challenge: GCC Targets Relaying 500 Roads In 15 Days

In preparation for the Northeast monsoon season, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has embarked on an ambitious mission to refurbish 500 roads throughout the city by 10 October.

This proactive initiative aims to provide much-needed relief to residents living in areas like Manapakkam, Mugalivakkam, Ramapuram, Porur, and Madipakkam, which have been plagued by craters, potholes, and road sink-ins.

Chief Engineer of the Greater Chennai Corporation, S Rajendiran, revealed that they have already successfully rejuvenated nearly 100 roads since 20 September.

However, the project faces challenges due to sporadic rainfall.

Rajendiran explained, "We encounter difficulties in relaying roads as the rains come unpredictably. Heavy vehicle restrictions prevent us from transporting hot mix to core city areas in the morning, and nighttime rain further complicates our efforts. Therefore, we are utilising sunny days to refurbish up to 500 roads before the full onset of the monsoon."

Before commencing road relaying, the corporation is collaborating with law enforcement agencies to clear parked and abandoned vehicles.

Rajendiran noted, "We will cover approximately 20 kilometres a day and are concurrently conducting patchwork amounting to Rs13 crores. This will be completed before the monsoon arrives, " reports Economic Times.

In recent days, the Greater Chennai Corporation has successfully renovated several roads, including Chowdary Nagar Main Road, Kadamban Street, Kattabomman Street in Valasaravakkam, and Wireless Cross Road in Porur.

However, road and urban infrastructure expert Mark Selvaraj expressed concerns about the lack of standardised road-relaying procedures.

He pointed out that road work often varies based on the discretion of local engineers. "Differences in recommendations, such as 80mm milling for slope creation by one engineer and 40mm by another, lead to alterations and changes during local inspections, compromising the quality of milling depth and compaction. We must ensure consistency in road relaying," Selvaraj emphasised.