A damaged footpath near the ECR bus stop in Tiruvanmiyur is forcing pedestrians, including school students and senior citizens, to walk close to fast-moving traffic, while the Highway department says repairs are awaiting approval.
The footpath has remained damaged at several places, with loose tiles and uneven stretches reported for the past four years. Residents said the condition makes walking difficult and creates a risk of trips and falls, particularly during rain and after dark when damaged portions are harder to see.
The problem has been compounded by renovation work at the Tiruvanmiyur terminus. Buses are currently being parked along the roadside, leaving some sections near the footpath relatively concealed. Residents said the concealed areas are also being used for urination, resulting in an unpleasant odour along the pedestrian route.
Ramalingam, a shopkeeper in the area, said the tiles and surface become loose and slippery during rain. He said the risk was greater at night because the damaged portions were not clearly visible. Shathik, a resident, said the stretch was used by a large number of people because it was located near a bus stop, but its uneven surface was pushing pedestrians onto a road carrying fast-moving vehicles.
The Highway department has acknowledged the issue. An official told DT Next that a proposal to repair the footpath had already been submitted and that work would begin after approval. The department would also examine temporary measures to make the footpath safer before permanent repairs are taken up, the official said.
The official attributed much of the damage to footpaths being dug up for electricity and telecommunications cable work and not being properly restored afterwards. According to the department, some private companies lay cables without seeking permission, leaving pedestrian infrastructure damaged after the work is completed.
The condition of the Tiruvanmiyur footpath highlights the operational gap between providing a pedestrian route and maintaining it after utility works. For people using the ECR bus stop, the immediate issue is whether the damaged surface can remain accessible while buses occupy portions of the roadside and repair work awaits administrative approval. The Highway department’s next steps are the approval of the repair proposal and an assessment of temporary repairs.
