TAMBARAM: The haphazard movement of vans, more popularly known as maxi cabs, ferrying employees to MEPZ has become a major traffic hazard for motorists and other road users.

A motorcyclist was killed on Sunday morning when he was hit by a van on the Grand Southern Trunk Road at Kadaperi near Tambaram. Tambaram Traffic Police Investigation Wing identified the victim as Murugesan (45), a resident of Kadaperi.

The victim was on his way to Chromepet when the van knocked him down near the signal opposite the Madras Export Processing Zone. A seriously injured Murugesan was rushed to the Chromepet Government Hospital, where he died.

In the absence of concerted efforts to rein erratic driving, maxi cabs have scant regard for traffic rules. Though there is a traffic signal opposite the main gate of MEPZ, it does not function throughout the day. When it does, motorists hardly obey the signals. Though the junction is very crowded due to the Tambaram Tahsildar office and National Institute of Siddha and MEPZ attracting many visitors and employees, not enough attention has been given to it.

Erratic parking of maxi cabs, autorickshaws driving on the wrong side near the signal to reach Kadaperi and vehicles from the Taluk office travelling in the opposite direction to reach the signal quicker are problems that have not been attended to.

Though private security guards of MEPZ take the initiative to control traffic flow when the traffic policemen are not present, motorists seldom comply, said residents who travel on this stretch daily.

As there are two gaps on the median on the GST Road in the area, one opposite MEPZ and another a little ahead near the Sanatorium railway station, flow of traffic is severely affected during the rush hours. The approach road leading to the road overbridge is under construction to replace the railway level crossing lands ahead of the GST Road. But residents doubt whether this would ease traffic jams.

Activists said that with more industries waiting to start their facilities inside MEPZ, the growing popularity of Siddha Institute and with the proposal to construct an integrated court complex near Taluk office, the movement of people and vehicles in this stretch would increase tremendously in future. All government agencies concerned should take concerted efforts to make this stretch safe for road users and free from accidents, they feel.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail