The three huge gaps created in the median (meant for vehicles to cross) between the bus terminus and a government school in Ambattur Old Town (OT) on Chennai–Tiruvallur High (CTH) Road are posing a threat to pedestrians and motorists. It is because vehicles from the interior streets cross the busy stretch suddenly, taking the road-users on CTH Road by surprise.
Unlike other spots on CTH Road, the vehicle-crossings at this spot is frequently used by motorists and pedestrians as most of the public utilities and commercial shops are located around the bus terminus.
According to police, at least two major accidents involving pedestrians occur in a day, especially near a petrol bunk, after the crossings were introduced by the State Highways Department early this year.
Residents and police suggest allowing a ‘U-turn’ near Rakkie Theatre and closing the vehicle-crossings near the bus terminus, except the one at the traffic junction near the government school.
Residents said that the widened CTH Road has many junctions, each connecting to a street lane. Instead, they suggested a single junction, which connects a group of lanes in the neighbourhood. This would restrict pedestrians and motorists from abruptly crossing the CTH Road.
“Pedestrians get caught when the motorists from the CTH Road and from street lanes vie with each other to proceed further. A common vehicle-crossing should be in place and other small vehicle-crossings within the short distance on the CTH Road must be closed,” said S. Suresh, secretary, Thiruvengada Nagar Residents Welfare Association, Ambattur OT.
In fact, the recent widening of the CTH Road from four-lane to six-lane has only forced the motorists to indulge in rash driving, as the stretch is now wider with few speed-breakers. As a result, vehicle-users including MTC buses, garbage-laden lorries and two-wheelers remain uncontrollable on the stretch, thereby putting the lives of pedestrians at risk.
Also, with poor illumination on the CTH Road, motorists hit pedestrians and other motorists, who proceed from the street lanes, especially at night. “We will take necessary steps to close the vehicle-crossings that are close to each other,” said a State Highways official.
