Chennai's F4 night race track becomes 'obstacle course' for motorists

CHENNAI: Ten days after the F4 night race at Island Grounds, the 3.5km circuit remains cluttered with abandoned railings, barricades, and poles — blocking traffic and pedestrian pathways. Worse, the newly laid roads along the course are pockmarked, particularly at spots where steel poles were removed.
Concrete barricades and steel grilles are strewn across Anna Salai, Sivananda Salai, Kamarajar Salai, and Flag Staff Road.On Wednesday, TOI found multiple potholes along Sivananda Salai, near Marina, at spots where steel poles had been removed. Bumps were also spotted in several areas.
On Sivananda Salai, after the State Guest House entrance, one lane remains blocked by racing barricades, pushing traffic into the remaining lane along the Cooum, causing two-way congestion. Similar is the scene on Anna Salai near Army headquarters where some streetlight poles are damaged.
At the Flag Staff Road - Anna Salai junction, barricades and grilles block pedestrian access to the pavement, forcing people to walk on the busy road until Munro Statue. There was no worker removing the leftovers till Wednesday evening.
After Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) relaid roads and installed new streetlights along the track, RPPL, the race organisers, put up barricades and other amenities. Deputy mayor Mahesh Kumar said GCC has issued a notice to RPPL to remove leftover infrastructure. "Udhayanidhi Stalin inspected the circuit recently and instructed organisers to clear the things, which may be reused for future races," he said. Kumar said streetlights will be repositioned and damaged pavements repaired from the security deposit made by the organiser.
Frustrated motorists blamed civic authorities and police . "Kamarajar Salai has narrowed down by half a metre on either side, leading to traffic jams during peak hours. It's the same on Anna Salai. No signboards indicate diversions, leaving motorists confused," said K Krishnamurthy, a motorist who was struggling with the barricades on Sivananda Salai.
TN govt had spent 40 crore on the race.