Poor illumination puts patients at risk
Patients visiting Sir Ivan Stedeford Hospital in Ambattur on Chennai-Tiruvallur High (CTH) Road have a tough time in crossing the road opposite the hospital as it is pitch dark. The portion of CTH Road between Rakki Theatre and the hospital, a distance of around 200 metres, is poorly illuminated due to lack of streetlights.
A portion of CTH Road opposite Stedeford Hospital in Ambattur lacks streetlights
The existing dilapidated high mast lamp opposite the hospital is dim, with little light falling on the road. The sodium vapour lamp has not been replaced for many years, even after the 2015 floods when the lamp fittings got damaged. As per norms, old bulbs have to be replaced once in two years, depending on their level of illumination. “Due to lack of sufficient illumination, we find it difficult to reach the bus stop, which is located opposite the hospital,” says S. Manjula, a resident of Villivakkam.
Poor illumination puts patients at risk
The road diverges at Rakki Theatre, with one route leading to Puzhal and Red Hills via Surapet, and the other connects Avadi, Annanoor and Thirumullaivoyal with Anna Nagar, Ambattur and Padi. Due to delay in the widening of CTH Road, the spot near the hospital is narrow, providing space for only one bus to pass through at a time.
During rush hour, patients to the hospital struggle to cross the road, despite the availability of a pedestrian-crossing. In fact, due to frequent accidents, the State Highways laid speed-breakers, a few months ago, at the spot to ensure safety of pedestrians, who are mainly visitors to the hospital.
