Driving along NSC Bose Road in Broadway remains a nightmare for motorists as encroachments block many points on the busy stretch.
The 1.5-km-long stretch, one of the second biggest bullion markets with the location of the Madras Stock Exchange, connects Parry’s Corner with Wall Tax Road and is dotted with a range of wholesale commercial establishments. Several lanes along the stretch have small offices run by advocates, who practise at the Madras High Court.
Despite the shifting of the State Express Transport Corporation (SETC) terminus and a wholesale vegetable and fruits market from Broadway to Koyambedu in 2002, NSC Bose Road still remains a hub for the wholesale market. It caters to the needs of north Chennai from Royapuram to Purasawalkam and small businessman and traders.
“Every time, officials of the Chennai Corporation evict the encroachers, the latter return in no time. There should be a continuous drive against the encroachers and an alternative space given to them,” said a traffic police officer.
Over the years, shops, business establishments and residences have eaten into the pavements. Hawkers and mobile eateries vie with each other to leave little space for motorists and pedestrians. The total width of the stretch is reduced from the Madras High Court, where the road space is better when compared to the space between Flower Bazaar police station and the Broadway traffic signal. In fact, the space between the police station and the Broadway traffic signal is only a pathway where only cycles can manage to negotiate. Many a time, policemen have to use force to push hawkers to the corner of the stretch to allow buses to pass the stretch.
“With the festival season having begun, the traffic chaos on the stretch will only get worse,” said S. Hari, a resident of Broadway.
