Road Widening Projects Face Delays – Residents Urged to Follow Up
Improving road connectivity and easing traffic congestion has been a long-standing demand from residents of Thalambur and surrounding areas. A recent response to a petition submitted by residents and the previous association team has provided some updates on the road widening projects near Casagrand Supremus, though delays and pending transfers continue to cause concern.
Here’s a detailed look at the current status of the road widening works and what residents can expect in the coming months:
1. Road Widening – Chennai to Mamallapuram Road to Karana Arisana Kalani Road (Chengalpattu District)
One of the key petitions raised by residents focused on widening the district road that connects Chennai-Mamallapuram Road to Karana Arisana Kalani Road.
Current Status:
- The request has been acknowledged by the authorities.
- A contract has been issued for widening and strengthening the road from km 2/0 to 3/050. This upgrading will convert the existing one-lane road into a two-lane road.
- The work will start once the final contract formalities are completed.
- No specific timeline for the start or completion has been provided yet.
2. Natham Egattur Road – NABARD Village Roads Division
The Natham Egattur Road is another road frequently used by residents for commuting towards OMR and nearby localities.
Current Status:
- The road has already been improved and is under maintenance by a contractor.
- Further widening work is not planned immediately.
- Widening will only be considered after the current maintenance period ends, which could take several more months.
3. SIPCOT-Thalambur Road – Delays Due to NABARD-Highways Transfer
Residents had hoped for faster progress on the SIPCOT-Thalambur Road, a critical link for daily commuters. However, this stretch is facing additional delays due to administrative hurdles.
Key Issues:
- The road is currently under the NABARD scheme, but it has not been handed over to the State Highways Department yet.
- Widening work is on hold until this transfer is completed.
Ongoing Work:
- Partial improvement work is in progress – a 1-meter widening with gravel on both sides is currently being carried out.
- Contractor delays have slowed down even this temporary work, adding to residents’ frustration.
Next Steps:
- Full-fledged road widening will begin only after NABARD completes its work and hands over the road to the Highways Department.
- Until this happens, residents will need to wait, as no major improvements can be expected in the immediate future.
What Residents Can Do
While the acknowledgment of the petition is a positive development, actual progress on the ground remains slow. Residents are advised to:
- Follow up regularly with the Chengalpattu CM Division and NABARD Village Roads Division to ensure that work does not get further delayed.
- Push for timely completion of the pending NABARD works, which is causing the most significant delay.
- Attend association meetings to stay updated on further progress and collectively raise concerns if necessary.
Conclusion: Hopeful but Waiting
While contracts are in place and some minor work is ongoing, the larger road widening projects are still in early or pending stages.
Residents need to stay patient but proactive in following up with authorities to ensure that these much-needed infrastructure improvements are not further delayed.
Better roads will mean smoother travel, safer commuting, and improved connectivity for everyone in the Thalambur area.
