Motorists taking Sabari Salai in Madipakkkam have requested the State Highways Department to construct a median on the stretch.
(The stretch is under the maintenance of the Department).
Due to the lack of a median, motorists feel encouraged to violate lane discipline and overtake other road users. Except during rush hour, the stretch is free, which often leads to speeding. Compounding the problem, Sabari Salai has a few dangerous bends.
“If a median is not going to be laid along the entire stretch, medians have to constructed selectively at certain points, which include the intersection of Park Square Colony First Street and Sabari Salai; and Karthikeyapuram First Cross Street and Sabari Salai; and Ponniyamman Kovil Street, Pillayar Kovil Street and Sabari Salai. These intersections are marked by sharp bends in the road,” V. Subramanian, a motorist, said.
Other points on the stretch that require medians are: Srinivasa Nagar, near Velachery Main Road and the intersection of Balaiah Garden and Velachery Main Road; Srinivasa Nagar and Balaiah Garden.
Between Sabari Salai and Velachery Main Road, the State Highways Department has put up signboards warning motorists of dangerous bends. While this is welcome, these sections need medians to prevent accidents, says A. Raghavan.
Another road On Bazaar Road, which is another important link road in the region, medians have been constructed at Sheela Nagar and Sadasivam Nagar.
But most part of it, the road lacks the safety feature of a median, especially at the accident-prone Ram Nagar.
According to a State Highways official, before deciding on constructing medians, the width of the road on both sides has to be taken into consideration. The department will look into the matter, he adds.
