Chennai: Frustrated by years of neglect, residents and ward councillors have demanded that Greater Chennai Corporation take control of key bus route roads, currently under the state highways department. The focus is on a 20km stretch between Kathipara Junction and Moolakadai Junction, which locals say has become unmotorable due to a lack of maintenance.This corridor, serving thousands of commuters daily, lacks basic infrastructure such as stormwater drains and pedestrian amenities.Portions of the road have been dug up for utility projects but remain unrestored for months, turning into slushy hazards during even mild rain. The highways department, residents say, has failed to respond to repeated petitions or carry out even basic repairs.”We filed multiple complaints for a year. But the roads are still riddled with potholes, there’s no drainage, and even our request for a foot over-bridge has been ignored,” said DMK councillor for ward 104 T V Shemmozhi. “The corporation has done well with interior roads. Why not let them maintain these stretches too,” he asked.Residents argue that the corporation, despite its own limitations, has shown more responsiveness. Stormwater drains constructed by GCC in interior areas have prevented waterlogging to some extent. In contrast, bus route roads under the highways department remain dug up and uneven long after utility work is complete. “The road in Jafferkhanpet was dug up for Metrowater work months ago. The work ended weeks back, but the surface remains muddy and dangerous. Many people fell during the last rain,” said a resident, M Shivakrishnamoorthy.Officials admit that a lack of manpower has slowed down developmental work across departments. But with the northeast monsoon less than five months away, residents are urging immediate jurisdictional changes.Mayor R Priya said the corporation will forward the proposal to the state govt, and a decision on the transfer of responsibility is expected soon.