Last week, a motorcyclist skidded near the Valluvarkottam junction as he was driving down Thanikachalam Road. Luckily, the motorcyclist escaped with minor injuries — anyone who saw only the motorcycle would have thought otherwise, for the machine was a mangled mess. Such accidents have become common at the intersection of T. P. Road-Valluvarkottam-Kodambakkam High Road. In fact, every week, at least four such incidents are reported by the traffic police manning the junction.
What has made the junction dangerous is the presence of a garbage transit station. Every day, numerous compactors enter and exit the transit point.
“Lorries leaving the station for the Perungudi dumpyard carry garbage which is at the composting stage. As a result, mucky water drips down the lorries as they leave the station. This makes the surface slippery. I have seen many motorcyclists skidding and hurting themselves at the junction,” says Anbhu, who lives in the slum adjoining the transit station.
When it rains, the problem is aggravated.
“When the mucky leftover mixes with rainwater, it turns oily. For half an hour, it is impossible to drive down the road, especially on a motorcycle,” says a traffic police personnel, who has his work cut out, at such times. Loads of mud have to be dumped on the sticky surface and barricades placed to keep motorists from the area. “Five months ago, a speed breaker was laid, which has helped slow down motorists navigating the junction,” says Anbhu.
Also, as a temporary measure, Metrowater lorries from a nearby filling station have been diverted via Vidyodaya School Street. Water dripping from these lorries was also contributing to the problem.
There are around five schools in the neighbourhood. Many incidents in the past involved students too. “When the schools opens for the day, our personnel are here to regulate the traffic. But sometimes, this is not enough. The only solution is closing down this transit station,” says the traffic official.
