CHENNAI: It is not enough to keep your front yard clean. Some visitors will eventually make their way to your backyard and find the uncleared rubbish heap there. Though most streets in the city are not very clean they are not as unusable as is Link Road that runs parallel to Anna Salai and the Cooum .

The bypass route from the south on Binny Road to Anna Salai was a one-kilometre short stretch free of hassles such as signals and heavy traffic. The road also contributed to easing congestion from the Binny Road junction to Dams Road. It enabled people to avoid the Arts College junction and reach Wallajah Road without much difficulty. But, poor maintenance and lack of lighting during night have rendered the road unsafe.

Utter neglect

At the entry point near Binny Road a small stretch extending to the bank of the Cooum has been developed into a park. But as you drive down the road, the extent of neglect hits hard. According to users, the debris heap was part of a park project, which never took off.

Of late, dozens of vans, used to transport employees from various offices on Anna Salai, have been parked on either side of the road. A few minutes into Link Road the broad lane is only a fourth of its original size. The entire stretch along the riverbank has been converted into a construction dumpster. Cement, brick and mortar debris are piled several feet high and has become a urinal point.

Two speed-breakers are installed near the entrance to the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board office but as they are not clearly marked driving is difficult. In several parts, the blacktopping has eroded.

Link Road becomes Boothaperumal Koil Street as it curves to meet Anna Salai behind the dargah at the Dams Road bus stop.

This stretch has been encroached upon by automobile mechanics.

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