In an effort to keep people off the road at the busy Tidel Park junction, the Tamil Nadu Road Development Company (TNRDC) has proposed a foot overbridge connecting the MRTS station with West Avenue Road, on the Tiruvanmiyur side.
TNRDC has written to the Chennai Corporation seeking permission and allotment of 50 per cent funds for the project that will cost around Rs. 1.40 crore.
Sources in TNRDC said, during rush hours, a large number of passengers exit the MRTS station at Tidel Park. Those going towards Siruseri have to cross West Avenue Road amid heavy traffic.
The existing foot overbridge from the station to the Tidel Park side has helped considerably reduce the number of pedestrians on Rajiv Gandhi Salai at that point.
There have been quite a number of suggestions from the traffic police, Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority, and TNRDC to construct another overbridge for passengers crossing West Avenue Road at that point, said an official.
K. Sangeetha, who regularly commutes to Perungudi, said she finds crossing the road very difficult. “Often, if vehicles do not stop despite the signal, we are forced to run across the road to take share autorickshaws at the stand,” she said.
Similarly, parents and children with disabilities, who come from a nearby school, too find it difficult to cross the road. The police should ensure traffic halts at least when such persons cross the road, said a commuter.
Regular commuters have also made a suggestion that a pedestrian-activated signal (where pedestrians can press a button to halt traffic to cross the road) be installed at the junction.
TNRDC sources said the design for the 150-metre-long foot overbridge is being drawn up.
