In December 2015, Ekkatuthangal and surrounding localities were devastated by an alarming case of flooding. The catastrophe underlined the need to widen the Adyar river. Doing so would put residents of Jaffarkhanpet, Indira Nagar, Ekkatuthangal and Defence Colony, localities situated along the waterway, on safer ground. As part of an exercise to widen this section of the waterway, the Water Resource Department (WRD) has a plan to demolish an old causeway running under the new bridge in Ekkatuthangal. Reportedly, the plan has been thwarted by the State Highways Department. The new bridge is maintained by the State Highways Department, and the causeway by WRD. The new bridge and the causeway under it are located not too far from Kasi Theatre. And the causeway connects two sections of Ekkatuthangal, divided by the State Highways-maintained Jawaharlal Nehru Main Road, and therefore quite busy. According to the State Highways Department, the causeway (which essentially means a low-level bridge) prevents traffic pile-ups on J.N. Main Road. Citing this reason, the State Highways Department has raised an objection to WRD's decision to demolish the causeway. Following this, WRD had put its demolition plan in cold storage. The causeway is not sufficiently illuminated and lacks other safety features. As it lacks a parapet and reflectors, motorcyclists and pedestrians are exposed to the danger of accidentally falling into the river at night. Making matters worse, lorries trundle down the causeway, which is old and designed only to support the movement of light vehicles — in fact, only motorcycles — and pedestrians. “Instead of demolishing the causeway, it can be strengthened, provided with safety features and made an alternative route for motorists with light vehicles and pedestrians,” says K. Anand, a resident in Ekattuthangal. The WRD does not want to do that as it wants the causeway to go. And the State Highways Department is not keen on taking over its maintenance as this will entail additional expenditure.

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