Residents of New Colony, Chromepet, have requested the authorities concerned to take action against haphazard parking of vehicles on the western side of the MIT flyover service lane, including pavements.
The lane is home to numerous commercial establishments and visitors to these establishments park their vehicles, including goods van, on both the sides of the lane, thereby hindering free movement of vehicular traffic.
The road has become so narrow that two motorcycles cannot pass through it simultaneously. One of the motorcyclists has to slow down or stop for the other to proceed.
Vehicular congestion occurs at regular intervals on the stretch.
“Pedestrians do not have space to walk on the stretch as the pavements have been completely encroached upon by parked vehicles. Also, the pavements have been broken at several places and is uneven,” R. Vidya, a pedestrian, said.
Mechanics use the stretch as their shed and two-wheeler showrooms, including establishments selling second-hand two wheelers, use the pavements for the display of their vehicles.
Despite haphazard parking of vehicles on both sides, vehicle users indulge in reckless driving, posing a threat to pedestrians.
“Road users taking the stretch are put to a lot of inconvenience. The stretch provides easy access to the Government Hospital in Tambaram. Repeated requests to the authorities concerned were in vain,” V. Santhanam, president, The Chromepet New Colony Residents Welfare Society, said.
The residents have also requested the State Highways Department to landscape the surface below the MIT Flyover as it is used as an open toilet and a dumping yard. When contacted, the Chennai Traffic Police Control Room (South and East) assured that action would be taken to alleviate the woes of road-users.
