It has been six days since the stretch of EVR Salai between Gengu Reddy Subway junction and Ega junction became two-way, after a period of six years.
As anticipated, some of the key junctions in the locality, especially those at Chetpet, Sterling Road and Mayor Ramanathan Road, presented a picture of chaos.
The stretch, which was made one-way in November 2011 on account of the Chennai Metro Rail project, was strategically re-opened on August 6, a Sunday.
On August 7, the beginning of the week, there was utter confusion among motorists and visible consternation among the traffic personnel.
A posse of traffic personnel was deployed to man various points in the locality. Traffic on Harrington Road, Spur Tank Road (officially called Mayor Ramanathan Road) and Sterling Road piled up and crawled for longer durations, both in the morning and evening hours.
As motorists became moderately acquainted with the new traffic plan, the traffic flow relatively eased in the days that followed. There was still some degree of confusion though. According to the traffic department, the traffic plan is still being unpacked and experimented.
For instance, motorists coming from Dr. Gurusamy Road are prohibited from taking a right turn to enter Harrington Road, as warned by a signage at the junction.
However, at times, the traffic personnel allow the motorists to take a turn as opposed to the original plan of taking a u-turn at Sterling Road. Similarly, while direct access from Harrington Road to Casa Major Road via Spur Tank Road was allowed on the first two days, the following day, motorists were re-routed through College Road or Dr. Gurusamy Road.
“We are still studying the traffic flow. If we see disorder at a junction, we divert the flow to the adjoining roads, take a u-turn and then reach their destination. For example, motorists coming from Harrington Road can take a u-turn under the Dr. Gurusamy Bridge to enter Spur Tank Road. When vehicular traffic is not considerable, we allow direct access. In fact, we are planning to effectuate the former system,” said a traffic inspector overseeing the traffic at Chetpet junction.
He adds, “The volume of traffic in 2011 was not as significant as it is today. Hence, motorists may feel the prevailing situation challenging. In one week, the traffic will return to normality.”
The traffic department will also soon install pedestrian crossing signals on EVR Salai near Police Housing Corporation, added the traffic inspector.
