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Vol. XXXIV No. 9, August 16-31, 2024
Arappor Iyakkam Volunteers Identify 467 Danger Zones in Chennai
-- by Varsha V.
A citizen-led audit of speedbreakers, manholes and silt pits has identified 467 danger zones in Chennai. The 304-page report was put together by 100 volunteers working with Arappor Iyakkam, a non-governmental organization that strives to establish transparency and accountability in governance. Local bodies must follow IRC (Indian Road Congress) guidelines for laying roads, and the 467 danger spots in Chennai and its suburbs are all in violation of the same. They comprise 201 poor quality speed breakers, 205 dangerous manholes, and 61 dangerous silt pits.
According to IRC guidelines, a speed breaker is to have a maximum height of 10 cm and a width of 3.7 metres or 12 feet. This, the report points out, is an important measure to prevent accidents. Further, speed breakers are to be painted in black and white, and there should be a board signalling that the speed breaker is ahead at least 40 meters in advance. 201 speed breakers were found to violate the guidelines. 156 have a height exceeding the mandated 10 cm; 180 have a width less than 12 ft; 132 are not painted black and white while 72 have insufficient visibility; and 190 have no sign boards. The report also made mention of significantly concerning instances such as the speed breaker on Thiruvottiyur High Road in Zone 4, Ward 14, which is 15 cm tall, only 5 feet wide and carries no black and white paint. The local community complain that it is hardly visible at night and causes a concerning number of accidents. Similar complaints were recorded of the speed breakers at 5th Street Pallavan Nagar and Radha Avenue main road at Valasaravakkam in Zone 11 and Bank Colony Main Road in Zone 2.
As for manholes, 205 are either above or below ground level, posing danger to those commuting by two and four-wheelers; the report observed that while the laying of new roads generally solves the problem, this is not the case in reality as the height of the road seems to be increased without taking the manhole in account. The document made mention of the manhole at Thomas Street in Perungulathur, West Tambaram, which is nearly half a foot below the road and right in the middle of the street rendering it nearly invisible to commuters; it also showed images of similar problematic manholes at Ratan Bazar Road, Surendra Nagar, 11th Street and Balammal Nagar Main Road.
Silt pits, which are built to trap silt before runoff water enters the storm drains, pose concerns similar to manholes as they are at levels much below the road when a new road is laid. 61 such dangerous silt pits were identified across the city, of which some were nearly in the middle of the road. The quality of the craters housing the silt pits was also questioned as they were found broken in multiple instances. The silt pits at PT Rajan Salai and Decastor Road in Pulianthope were shown as examples.
A reason for the problems above, as mentioned in the study as well, is the lack of planning and monitoring afforded to public works. For instance, manholes and silt pits ought to be taken into account when laying new roads; the hazards of misalignment are quite obvious to even a layman’s eye. It is hard to believe that these instances have missed the eye of experienced civic administrators; The report points out that the Corporation should ensure that road height is not raised in the first place or if they are, the bill payments to the road contractor must not be made unless drains are at the same level as the road.
It also recommends that the local bodies take responsibility for the repairs rather than pass the buck to Metro Water. All of this is perfectly reasonable. There appears to be a need for better maintenance protocols as well – commuters don’t deserve to be subjected to cracked silt pits and chipped or broken speed breakers on a daily basis. It is hard to imagine why the local bodies should face delays in executing repairs.
It is to be noted that the study has been conducted by 100 volunteers and as such is only a data sample, not a comprehensive report. According to the Times of India, the Greater Chennai Corporation Commission J. Kumaragurubaran stated that the administration would undertake measures to verify the report and ensure compliance with IRC guidelines in future works. While this appears a satisfactory response to the report itself, it begs the question as to why the administration and local bodies should not proactively undertake a comprehensive audit of the roads to identify hazards and conduct repair works. After all, monsoon is around the corner. The city deserves better.
