Chennai: Residents and motorists using Alapakkam Main Road are excited about the widening of the stretch which they had been expecting for quite some time.

Alapakkam, falling under Zone 11 of Chennai Corporation, is surrounded by Porur, Valasaravakkam and Maduravoyal.

Alapakkam Main Road is a 6-km-long stretch that connects Maduravoyal on Poonamallee High Road with Porur on Arcot Road.

The road witnesses heavy traffic during the day, says Gopal, a resident of Arcot Road.

The stretch has a number of narrow bends, making it accident-prone. The one near the Lakshmi Nagar and Arcot Road intersection is especially notorious for accidents.

Therefore, widening of the road is most welcome as more space will help avert accidents, says Kothai, a long-time resident of the area.

“We are very much pleased about the widening activity being started here since a fortnight as it will definitely help in free flow of traffic and save time,” says Kanakavalli, an octogenarian.

She further says that after widening the stretch, it will be able to accommodate two buses on opposite directions, apart from giving space for a pavement which will be a great relief to motorists and pedestrians.

Deepthi, a teacher and resident of Alapakkam, says that apart from widening the road, ample lighting facility should be provided for the entire stretch.

An official from the State Highways said more than a dozen palm trees were cut to widen the two-lane into a four-lane stretch and the entire work will be completed in a month.