Water stagnating at a railway underpass on Old Karur Road near Nehruji Nagar in Dindigul on Thursday.

| Photo Credit: KARTHIKEYAN G

For commuters, the underpass on the old Karur road in Dindigul has turned into a nightmare. Water seepage has inundated the underpass causing hardship to the people.The underpass was built beneath the railway line on the old Karur road. The work which commenced in 2018 was completed in 2024. As the underpass was constructed at a depth of about 20 feet below the ground level, water began seeping from the walls.In 2025, a sum of ₹4 crore was allocated for works to drain the water from the underpass. To address the issue, steps were taken to channel the water seeping from the walls through pipes and drain it into the collection pits, from where it could be pumped out. However, water seepage could not be stopped and was recurring.Despite summer, the water was getting stagnant to a depth of over three feet. This forced the vehicle users to avoid the stretch. Many tried using the underpass. However, the vehicles stopped midway, forcing the riders to get down and push the vehicles. They had to take the vehicle to the mechanic for repair, the vehicle users said.People have also complained about frequent accidents along the stretch. At least 20 accidents have occurred in this area in the last one month alone, they said.Residents were forced to take a detour as they were unable to use the underpass. Many educational institutions were along the stretch and the students commuting to the institutions were facing hardship, they said.The public have urged the authorities concerned to take steps immediately to resolve the issue. Authorities have begun draining the water. Barricades have been installed along the underpass.The vehicle users from Nehruji Nagar Roundabout have to take a detour while those coming from MVM Nagar can use the stretch as of now.People have also complained about a similar situation in Balakrishnapuram on Siluvathur Road beneath the Palani track. Published - July 02, 2026 09:12 pm IST