The Man from Madras Musings resides just off an arterial road that connects the beach to another major thoroughfare leading to the Mount. As it happens, this road has served as the route taken by almost every Chief Minister of the state while travelling to office over the last 33 years. Consequently, it has acquired the status of a VIP route. As a result, the road is always kept in excellent condition. The sidewalks remain clear, and in fact, are repaired rather too frequently. The streetlights work. All of this is undoubtedly to the good.
However, there is one drawback for the average citizen. The road would typically be closed for about 20 minutes, four times a day. First, when the Chief Minister travelled to office. Then again when he returned home for lunch. Afterwards, when he went back to office. Finally, the road would close once more when he returned home for a well-earned rest.
The Hidden Problems of the Chief Minister’s Official Road
Before anyone assumes that MMM is fortunate to live on such a road, let him assure you that all is not a bed of roses. For instance, did you know that no drainage work has been permitted in the area for the last 33 years? The reason is simple. Cutting into the main road for drainage inspection becomes nearly impossible when the Chief Minister must travel along it regularly. Likewise, proper road-laying procedures cannot be followed.
Normally, a road would be milled before a fresh layer of tar is applied. Here, however, milling is out of the question. Instead, new layers of tar have simply been added over the old ones. Consequently, MMM’s street, along with several neighbouring roads, now lies several feet below the level of the main road.
Therefore, when it rains, water no longer drains from the smaller streets to the main road. Instead, it flows in exactly the opposite direction.
A Change of Chief Minister, A Brief Hope
Naturally, MMM breathed a sigh of relief when he learnt that the newly elected Chief Minister did not live anywhere in the vicinity. Apparently, he resides in one of the newer and more fashionable neighbourhoods along the coast.
Even while celebrating this news, however, MMM could not help wondering how the man, no matter how fit, could endure a daily commute that might consume several hours. Fortunately, the journey was not made four times a day.
As has been widely publicised, the Chief Minister brings his lunch from home in a tiffin carrier.
The Chief Minister’s Move and the VIP Route
Imagine MMM’s shock, therefore, when he learnt that another development was imminent. Apparently, the Chief Minister has grown weary of travelling back and forth from his seaside residence. Consequently, he is considering moving closer to the centre of activity.
Rumour has it that the location under consideration lies close to where Mater Dei once maintained her castle. If that happens, the new Chief Minister will once again use the same route. That would mean a return to four daily road closures.
More importantly, it would likely mean that the drainage system remains forever untouched.
A Suggestion for the Chief Minister
MMM therefore makes a sincere request to the Chief Minister. Perhaps he could consider one of the many other upmarket neighbourhoods in the city. Such a choice might spare this particular road from once again becoming the state’s principal VIP route.
Alternatively, he could contemplate a helicopter service. Better still, why not have the Government build an official residence close to the office itself?
In that case, the Chief Minister could simply walk to work instead of travelling with a convoy of vehicles.
This article appeared in Madras Musings–https://madrasmusings.com/vol-36-no-4/short-n-snappy-244/
My book, Chennai, A Biography can be ordered–http://My book, Chennai, A Biography can be ordered-https://sriramv.com/2021/12/27/how-to-buy-autographed-copies-of-chennai-a-biography-from-outstation/20.ece
