Kamaraja Salai-Arcot Road
(Near Avicchi School, Virugambakkam)
Numerous representations have failed to get a pedestrian crossing or a signal at the junction of Kamaraja Salai and Arcot Road. Due to heavy flow of traffic, crossing over at this intersection is a difficult. With schools in the vicinity, a zebra crossing is essential.
“We had asked for a pedestrian crossing at few junctions on Arcot Road including Kamaraja Salai, Kali Amman Koil Street, Virugambakkam market as many complained about the difficulty in crossing these junctions especially during rush hour. But our demand is yet to be met,” says Arumainathan, president, Federation of Welfare Associations of Virugambakkam.
But, a crossing alone won’t help the walkers, he says.
“If not a police personnel, volunteers such as Friends of Police can help man these areas at least in the morning and evening. This will help pedestrians a lot.”
K.K. Nagar Roundtana
(Near bus depot)
“Three years ago, I barely escaped getting hit by a speeding vehicle taking the Anna Main Road. I was trying to cross the K.K. Nagar rountana when a car zipped past me. There are no signals or pedestrian crossing here. Neither do motorists wait for people to cross safely,” says Gayathri, a resident.
Vehicle flow is continuous, with buses also plying on the thoroughfare. Sometimes it takes a long time to cross this junction which connects the stretch to P.T. Rajan Salai, MGR Nagar, 60 Feet Road.
Also, due to lack of traffic management, vehicles converge from all directions, leaving pedestrians confused.
“It is almost impossible to cross, especially during the evening rush hour. I hardly see a policeman manning the junction.
Also, on the same road near MGR Nagar market we need a pedestrian crossing as a lot of people visit the area,” she adds.
Guindy
(Near Olympia Tech Park)
“If you are alone, you cannot cross this stretch. It is a difficulty we face every day and nothing has been done about it,” says Banumathi, an IT professional. Over 20,000 IT employees and others work here, but their safety has not been taken into consideration.
With nothing to stop the vehicles coming from Kathipara flyover, people sometimes have to wait for as long as 10 minutes to cross the road. And being in a group is the only way to get to the other side. “We have to keep pace with the vehicle. It is a mad dash across the street. A pedestrian signal or a crossing will definitely be helpful,” she adds.
Though police personnel have been posted to man the road right outside the technology park, he is not there to assist always.
“A policeman should be present at all times here.”
Second Avenue
(Near Lakshman
Shruti signal)
Mayhem is the word that aptly defines the traffic situation here. With huge volume of traffic, the police personnel are only focused on ensuring traffic is cleared. Pedestrians are forced to manage things on their own.
“Many a time, people don’t even follow the signals. When we are trying to cross over, a vehicle will suddenly come from the other side. It is always risky to cross the junction. Vadapalani signal presents a similar problem,” says Sumathi, a resident of Second Avenue, Ashok Nagar.
“Accidents involving pedestrians have become common here. We need a signal or at least a foot-over bridge for safe crossover,” adds Anbu, another resident.
