CMRL work leaves parts of road between Vadapalani and Kodambakkam damaged

A commuters says that there is barely any space for the pedestrians to walk.

| Photo Credit: M. SRINATH

For hundreds of commuters already disappointed with the delay in the opening of the Chennai Metro Rail’s phase II network, travelling from Vadapalani to Kodambakkam on Arcot Road is now an ordeal as the stretch has been damaged in quite a few locations.Many pockets of the Vadapalani-Kodambakkam stretch have been in poor shape for a while now due to the ongoing Chennai Metro Rail’s construction for the phase II project.In the 118.9-km phase II network, Arcot Road has been covered under corridor 4 from Poonamallee to Light House via Vadapalani and Kodambakkam. The construction, which commenced nearly five years ago, is still in progress in some parts on Arcot Road, including the stretch from Vadapalani to Kodambakkam.S. Arumainathan, who frequently commutes to Kodambakkam through Arcot Road, says the Vadapalani-Kodambakkam stretch is riddled with worn-out and uneven patches and makes for an unpleasant ride. “There is barely any space for the pedestrians to walk. This has been the case for a long time now. The authorities should have the responsibility to at least keep the roads intact when commuters are putting up with the construction. Is it so difficult to repair the damaged roads immediately?” he asks.Traffic congestionV. Seetharaman, a resident of Alwarthirumanagar, says that traffic congestion gets worse as motorists find it difficult to navigate the stretch.“On quite a few occasions I have witnessed some of the motorists skid and fall on this stretch. And now that short spells of rain occur every now and then, it makes it even more dangerous for those on two-wheelers,” he says. Adding to the congestion are the private and construction vehicles and debris near the medians in some of the locations, and that needs to be removed by the authorities, he adds.According to officials of Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL), they will shortly take up the work to relay the stretch. “We will finish the work soon,” an official says. Published - August 13, 2026 04:30 am IST