The Sungam to Ukkadam bypass is regarded as an important connecting route in the city. The road is used by motorists to reach Pollachi and other areas along the Pollachi road. Sungam - Ukkadam bypass comes under the state highways department and is used by all types of vehicles from two wheelers to heavy vehicles. However, this road is doing no good for the motorists or the residents who live along the area. Here's what they say about the day-to-day problems they encounter as residents of this area.
Lack of Connectivity
The aim of any road is to provide connectivity. The total length of the road from Sungam to the Ukkadam bus station is 5 km. On either side of the road there is a lot of residential areas. However, it is surprising that there is no bus operating along the route. People who live along the road have stated that they suffer due to lack of public transport (bus) facility. Residents of this colony who need to visit the Government Hospital (GH) or go to the bus stand or railway station in Ukkadam have to walk a distance of 5 km.
Lack of public toilet facility
With more than 1,000 houses in Ambrose Colony, Arimedu, Indra Nagar, Foreign Nagar, Abirami Nagar, Alwin Nagar, Shanmuga Nagar and many more up to the Sungam bridge, lack of public facility facility is yet another long-term issue faced by these people. The residents who live in apartments use the toilets in their houses. However, the people who are below the poverty line suffer due to lack of public toilet facilities. Left with no option, the sides of the roads in this area double up as toilets for the residents. The open defecation leads to stray dog issues and becomes a platform for disease-spreading germs to thrive.
Lack of street lights
The road users who use the this stretch in the night suffer a lot due to improper lighting. The highways department has installed more than 100 lights along the road. However the lights are not maintained properly. Some of the lights do not function properly or they just keep blinking. When we did a random check on the street light on this road, we discovered that a few lights have not been functioning for a long time now. The motorists who come from the Trichy road junction near the government arts college through the classic towers are the ones who are severely impacted due to this. The non-availability of street lights is one of the reasons for accidents and chain snatching incidents to happen more often on this road.
SimpliCity interacted with a few residents of this area and this is what they have to say.
“My name is Mohana Priya (30). My parents have been living in this area even before I was born. There are about 1,000 families living in this area. There are no bus facilities since my birth in this route.” she said.
“We have to walk 3 km to visit to the government hospital. If we have to go in an auto we have to spend 80 to 100 rupees. Our children have to walk 2 to 3 km to go to school. Hence, we request the government to provide us with basic transport (bus facility) and toilet facilities.” she said.
Vignesh a college students said “I am studying 3rd year in the Bishop Ambrose college which is situated along this road. My home is at Kannampalayam. I travel 17-km to come to college daily. There are no bus facilities for this road. We have to walk to 5 km to reach college from Sungam bus stand'.
“This is the case since I joined this college. The students who passed out of college also faced the same situation. We have requested the government to provide us with a bus facility through this road and we also need to build a bus stand near our college.” he said.
Maria Irudhayarajan, Secretary of Bishop Ambrose College said, “About 1,500 students study in Bishop Ambrose College which is located in Ambrose colony. Bus facility has been provided for the students who come to college from a very long distance. For other students, the college has arranged a vehicle from the bus stand to the college. Some students come to college in bicycles. Students and people suffer in case of emergency situations due to lack of transport (bus) facilities. Bus facilities should be provided in this route on priority.” he said.
The residents, students and the motorists are hopeful that their pleas on basic facilities like transportation, toilet, street lights will be fulfilled by the officials of the concerned department within a reasonable time period.