Despite several accidents that have taken place on Chennai-Tiruvallur High Road, the traffic police and Chennai Corporation have turned a blind eye to the issue raised by residents. They have been demanding that speed breakers be installed on this stretch.
V. Mahadevan travels on the road regularly. “On many occasions, I have had to wait for more than 10 minutes to enter CTH Road from Sidco Nagar. I met with two accidents last year on this stretch,” he said.
Residents say that ever since the opening of two-way traffic on Padi grade separator, the traffic has increased many-folds. This has led to traffic snarls near Kumaraswamy Nagar and Sidco Nagar. Vehicles from Ambattur, Padi, Annanagar and Redhills that are going towards Villivakkam via Padi flyover break speed regulations.
Desipite representations to the Chennai Corporation urging them to install speed breakers, nothing has been done.
Kalaignanam, a painter says that at least three schools are located on the road, between Nathamuni and Padi grade separator.
“More than 7,000 school students use the road and have been facing difficulties while commuting.”
Srimathy, a resident of Sidco Nagar, says she finds it difficult to cross the road during the peak hours. Few days ago, while crossing the road in the morning, she was hit by a motorcyclist, who was riding on the wrong side of the road. “There is one traffic signal near the Sidco Nagar Main Road, Villivakkam, which hardly functions, resulting in frequent accidents.”
On the other side of the grade separator, the situation is the same. Vehicles plying from Villivakkam towards Padi come at break-neck speed to reach CTH Road.
Pedestrians fear crossing the road near Lucas TVS signal, which is often ignored by motorists. “Considering the plight of the pedestrians and motorists, State Highways department officials should immediately take steps to construct speed breakers on either side of the grade separator,” says T. Gunaseelan, a resident of Ambattur.
