In August, a middle-aged woman crossing the busy Kellys junction was fatally knocked after a tempo van hit her. The tragic accident that lost the woman’s life caught the attention of many as it was captured on the CCTV camera of a showroom located at the junction. The footage almost went viral asking people to be careful while crossing the road. It also brought to light the need for pedestrian crossing and pedestrian signal, both which were absent at the junction.
Members of Kilpauk Residents’ Welfare Association led by Sathi Thomas and Anand Jayaraj made a representation to the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police asking that pedestrian safety at the junction be improved.
“One of the victim’s friends approached the Association requesting that something be done to improve pedestrian safety at the junction. Based on our request, pedestrian crossing was marked at all the four junctions,” says Anand Jayaraj, member of the Association. The height of the median was also increased. But, the pedestrian signal is yet to be activated.
The junction connects at least four roads including Medavakkam Tank Road, Purasawalkam High Road and Ayanavaram. Despite the presence of traffic personnel, crossing the junction is a nightmare.
“Especially in the evening between 3 p.m. and 4.30 p.m. the junction is chaotic. Many two and three-wheelers cross the junction to ferry their wards to schools in the locality including the Sindhi Model School. It is not enough having a pedestrian signal but people also need to follow road rules while crossing,” says D. Sunil, propitiator of a showroom at the junction.
The traffic policeman also echoes similar views. He says often motorists jump signals or pedestrian don’t wait for the signal to turn red before crossing. “Pedestrian signal on all the intersections may not be possible but at least on two sides can be introduced,” said traffic personnel.
According to officials from the traffic department, installing a traffic signal costs over Rs. 3 lakhs and various factors must be studied including volume of traffic on the stretch. “A number of ambulances cross the junction, so it must not hinder traffic movement,” said an official.
