Crossing the intersection of Tambaram-Velachery Main Road and Chitlapakkam Main Road, Mahalakshmi Nagar, will no longer be a challenging idea. For, a zebra-crossing has been marked on this section and police personnel have been deployed during rush hour. Commuters appreciate the efforts by the traffic police who also help pedestrians cross the intersection.
The move follows a series of requests by the members of Pradeep and Karthik Avenue Residents’ Welfare Association, Chitlapakkam, who sent petitions to the CM’s Cell and also took up the issue with the Chennai Traffic Police at periodic intervals.
It must be noted that the problem was also highlighted frequently in The Hindu Downtown.
Also, the members raised the issue with the Tambaram MLA S.R. Raja at a grievance meet for residents of Chitlapakkam. The Mahalakshmi Nagar intersection is a key section as it provides easy access to Chitlapakkam, Chromepet, Camp Road, Tambaram Sanatorium, Hasthinapuram and East Tambaram. “During rush hour, a huge number of vehicles pass through the stretch. They include MTC buses and shareautorickshaws,” P. Dayanand, president, Pradeep and Karthik Avenue Residents’ Welfare Association, Chitlapakkam, said.
Earlier, in the absence of zebra-crossing or traffic police personnel, pedestrians found it difficult to cross the intersection. There was a provision for pedestrians to cross while vehicles from Rajakilpakkam took a right turn towards Chitlapakkam. However, motorists proceeding towards East Tambaram and Medavakkam would not stop.
Also, pedestrians have requested Chennai Traffic Police to prevent motorists from entering the eastern side of Velachery Main Road from Chitlapakkam Main Road, Mahalakshmi Nagar. To avoid negotiating the intersection of Velachery Main Road and Madambakkam Main Road, Rajakilpakkam, vehicle-users come in the wrong direction.
