The sudden and unannounced closure (with mobile barricades) of the Lajpat Rai Road from the Alagarkoil Road side connecting to Ghokale Road has baffled many motorists in the city.
After the introduction of one-way traffic system along the arterial Alagarkoil Road and Ghokale Road, vehicle movement had been regulated to a great extent, motorists say.
Though the one-way system came as a relief to vehicle users, pedestrians urged the police to find a way out for them to cross the road as steady vehicle flow on both the stretches made them difficult and risky.
The absence of police led to difficulty for senior citizens, school children in crossing the road from one end to another, especially, in front of the Tallakulam Perumal Temple.
Office-goers and public visiting Corporation premises also experienced problems in getting into it from Alagarkoil Road.
The lack of enforcement by the traffic police on violators had led to freak accidents.
Four days ago, a motorist was fatally knocked down in front of the Corporation – Anna Maaligai – by a speeding state owned bus coming from Ambedkar Salai towards Alagarkoil Road side. The two-wheeler rider was coming from New Natham Road side and proceeding towards Tallakulam.
Suddenly, when the rider, who was not wearing helmet, moved towards the left, where the bus knocked him down, ACP (traffic) Yellapparaj said and added that hence, as a preventive measure, the police had closed down the entry towards Ghokale Road via Lajpat Rai Road.
However, vehicle users had appealed to the police to deploy personnel at select intersections and regulate motorists and also penalise violators.
Instead of imposing fines on a selective basis, the traffic police should be visible and educate road users. Though the police had assured to install automatic signals (for about 30 seconds vehicles could stop and go) along the Alagarkoil Road for the benefit of pedestrians to cross, it had not been enforced till now.
A senior police officer said that fines were imposed at regular intervals on erring drivers.
He claimed that self-discipline from road users was lacking.
