UGD work is over but Madathur road still remains in a bad shape

Motorists face safety risk as a stretch of Madathur road in Thoothukudi, dug up for Underground Drainage System (UGDS) work remains in a state of disrepair for months.

Madathur road branches off from the Palayamkottai Road at Third Mile and is used by hundreds of motorists every day. However, a stretch of approximately 400 metres of road dug up for UGD work is yet to be restored. The delay in restoring the road during the monsoon season has further worsened the condition, as recent rain has accentuated the difference in levels between dug up area and the existing battered road, leaving sharp edges that increase the risk of skidding.

Arjunan, a resident of Selvakamatchi Nagar said the road has been in a poor condition for at least six months, despite hundreds of vehicles using it every day. He pointed out that the road served as a major link between SIPCOT and Palayamkottai Road with a large number of workers using the route. In addition, several motorists travelling towards the Madurai highway also take this stretch.

Mr. Arjunan noted that the road falls under the jurisdiction of State highways and urged the authorities to take immediate steps to restore it.

Residents also expressed concerns over the damaged stretch’s proximity to low-lying wards within the Corporation limits. They said that even a minor waterlogging on the road could pose a significant risk to motorists and other road users.

Speaking on this, an official from State Highways told The Hindu that a significant portion of the road has already been restored. The remaining dug up area was left untouched because the work in the section had been completed in August, he added.

He said Wet mix Macadam (WMM) would be laid within a week, and the road would be relaid with tar after the monsoon had been assessed.