Many summers have passed since a one-way traffic system was introduced on Thiru. Vi. Ka Road (formerly General Patters Road) and Whites Road to facilitate construction of stations near LIC Buildings and Thousand Lights for Chennai Metrorail.
Now, the time has arrived for these two stretches to witness two-way traffic again.
A trial run — similar to those conducted on a few stretches in Anna Nagar and Vadapalani, where a two-way traffic system was re-introduced early this year — for a two-way traffic system on Thiru.Vi.Ka Road and Whites Road will be conducted soon.
“Although the underground track work on Anna Salai is still in progress, work on the stations near the LIC Buildings and Thousand Lights is nearing completion. Initially, we will allow two- and four-wheelers to ply on the two stretches,” said a police source.
At present, the stretch on Anna Salai from Thiru.Vi.Ka Road junction to Wellington junction is a one-way with entry from Whites Road junction towards the LIC Buildings.
Whites Road is a one-way with entry from Royapettah tower clock. Pattullos Road is also a one-way with entry from Spencer’s Plaza junction. A stretch of Smith Road is a one-way with entry from Whites Road junction. Motorists coming from the Anna statue and proceeding towards Gemini flyover or Teynampet have to take a diverrsion at Wellington junction towards G.P. Road via Whites Road and reach Anna Salai.
Likewise, motorists coming from Bharathi Salai (Zam Bazaar) and proceeding towards Anna Salai use Whites Road and Smith Road to reach Anna Salai.
Vehicles coming from Government Royapettah Hospital (Westcott Road) have to take a left to reach Anna Salai via Whites Road and Smith Road.
The police plan to undertake the trial runs during the summer holidays when traffic movement will be lower due to schools and colleges being closed. Challenges that need to be addressed can also be worked on. Unlike at the Vadapalani junction on the Arcot Road, the G.P. Road and Whites Road are wide and bitumen-topped with footpath and storm water drains similar to stretches in Anna Nagar. Thanks to this, the police can allow light vehicles like two-wheelers and cars on both sides of these two stretches.
The major challenges in the re-introduction of two-way traffic system will come from those spots where Express Avenue mall and Satyam theatre complex are located — these two facilities register a huge footfall.
“Initially, only G.P. Road and Whites Road will be made two-way and small stretches like Smith Road will continue as one-way to allow existing Metro rail work on Anna Salai. Also, as G.P. Road and Whites Road have only a few bus stops, the flow of traffic will be smooth, with adequate policemen being posted to regulate traffic there,” police sources said.
