Date:12/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/12/stories/2008051258730300.htm

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Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Traffic snarls a perennial problem in areas north of George Town

R. Sujatha and L. Srikrishna

“MTC has suspended several services in Kolathur”

PHOTO: M. VEDHAN

CONGESTED: A view of the crowded Tiruvottiyur High Road, a section of which will soon be made a four-lane stretch. —

CHENNAI: For those living in areas north of George Town, traffic snarls seem to have become a perennial problem.

Cab drivers of a company on Anna Salai say crossing the Vyasarpadi junction at rush hour could take as much as 90 minutes.

C.R. Ramakanthan, resident of Srinivasa Nagar in Kolathur, says the Metropolitan Transport Corporation has suspended several services in his area. “Buses on routes such as 46F, 42D and 20M are not very frequent. The delay in the construction of the road overbridge is causing traffic hold ups. Earlier a round trip by autorickshaw from Villivakkam to Nadamuni theatre (about 2 km) would cost Rs. 50-60. Now, it is Rs. 120.”

K. Ramadoss, North Chennai District Exnora president, says despite perennial traffic bottlenecks in various parts of the heavily congested north Chennai areas, the traffic infrastructure is not being given sufficient attention. The residents have to settle for old MTC buses, have been denied the benefits of the Mass Rapid Transit System, air-conditioned buses, flyovers, subways and one-way stretches.

Mr. Ramadoss says encroachments on Konnur High Road, Ayanavaram, upcoming road medians on the road from ICF bus terminus to Nammalwarpet, encroachments on New Avadi Road and the pending four-laning of Rajanaicker Street all contribute to traffic congestion.

“By using land that belongs to the Railways, we can ease traffic congestion in many areas in the north.”

The residents feel extending the Mint flyover up to Tiruvottiyur High Road will also ease congestion. If Purasaiwalkam and Ayanavaram are covered by the metro rail project it will help.

Additional Commissioner of Police Sunil Kumar says the Chennai Port Trust and the Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited are the major cause for movement of heavy vehicles.

“Without their co-operation not much can be achieved. Several meetings have been held with the CPCL and port trust authorities.” The roads are narrow and need to be repaired. Ennore High Road and Ponneri High Road must be widened.

“The traffic police are working to restrict the speed on certain stretches. In Elephant Gate range, barriers have been introduced to prevent movement of heavy traffic and prevent accidents in certain areas. We have taken up a study on the accident patterns between heavy vehicles and two-wheelers,” says Mr. Kumar.

The traffic police have presented a proposal to the Corporation to strengthen the Ganesapuram pedestrian subway near Vyasarpadi for the use of two-wheelers and light vehicles, he said.