Through the gaps

On CTH Road, pedestrians squeeze themselves through narrow gaps between concrete slabs to cross the road, taking motorists by surprise

May 16, 2015 08:15 pm | Updated 08:15 pm IST - Chennai

There are altogether fourteen small gaps in the median on CTH Road.PHOTO: M. VEDHAN

There are altogether fourteen small gaps in the median on CTH Road.PHOTO: M. VEDHAN

With the Chennai – Tiruvallur High (CTH) Road between Avadi and Padi having been widened, motorists and comuters report a considerable drop in travel time on this 60-feet stretch.

The vehicles obviously move without much of a hindrance. Against this backdrop, the small gaps in the median pose a great danger, making the stretch highly accident-prone.

According to officials of the state highways department, the small gaps between the concrete blocks, which constitute the median, are meant to discharge excess rainwater from the elevated portions of the stretch to lower ones. But the pedestrians use these small openings in the median to cross the stretch, which has led to a rise in accidents.

“Walkers cross suddenly through the small openings taking motorists by surprise. Many a time, motorists have skidded and got injured, which trying to avoid hitting the pedestrians,” said V. Raman, a resident of Ambattur.

There are many such accident-prone spots between Avadi and Padi. For example, between Ambattur police station and the farmer’s market (a distance of around 500 metres). Altogether, there are around 14 small such openings. Only one person can pass through the gap. Sadly, except at the intersection of Bazaar Road (which connects Ambattur railway station with CTH Road) and CTH Road, no policemen are found regulating pedestrian movement. “Pedestrians take advantage of these gaps and cross the stretch at their convenience. They never bother about the safety of other road users. In case of an accident, it is always the motorist who is blamed ,” said S. Archana, a resident of Padi.

According to residents, the widened CTH Road has many junctions, each connecting to a street lane. Instead, they suggest one junction that connects all the lanes. This would restrict pedestrians and motorists from abruptly crossing the CTH Road.

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