The formation of the Jawaharlal Nehru Salai on the outskirts of the city has led to boom in commercial activities between Villivakkam and Kolathur during the past few years. The explosion in construction of residential apartments has helped in nursing the commercial activities, but has brought with it several problems, mainly traffic congestion.
M. Vijay, a resident of Thirumalai Nagar, Kolathur, said the by-product of the commercial boom was that the residential areas located on the perimeter of the road are facing several hardships particularly unauthorised parking on their streets.
Hundreds of heavy vehicles are parked in the narrow streets increasing the risk of accidents. Also the residents face nuisance from the lorry drivers and cleaners who reportedly use the vacant plots as public conveniences. “To prevent the vehicles from being parked inside the streets the residents have installed girders,” he added.
The girders, rather than helping the residents, has worsened the situation with heavy vehicles and cars parked on the road margins blocking traffic.
Durai Munusamy, president, Federation of Kolathur Residents Welfare Association, complained about the security threat posed by the persons operating these outstation vehicles to the residents.
Residents of the locality want service lanes to be developed on Jawaharlal Nehru Salai similar to the GST Road.
“When all national highway roads have well developed service roads, the residents fail to understand why the State Highways authorities have not developed service roads to prevent heavy vehicles from being parked in residential areas,” said Mr. Munusamy.
The development of service roads would also help in reducing accidents, he added.
People from Kolathur want service lanes to be developed on Jawaharlal Nehru Salai like GST Road
