Every Thursday, R. Mari, a resident of Mandaveli, takes a detour of nearly two kilometres to pick her daughter from a school located on R.K. Mutt Road.
On other days, Mari takes the Venkatesa Agraharam Road, reaching the school in a short time. But on Thursdays, she avoids taking this road for the possibility of getting caught in the traffic around the SaiBaba temple is high. Residents say the traffic situation near the Sai Baba temple in Mylapore has gone from bad to worse, especially on any Thursday, when the number of devotees visiting the temple increases.
No resident, who is aware of this, would take the Venkatesa Agraharam stretch to get to the intersecting R.K. Mutt Road or Dr. Ranga Road. Recently, two residents filed an online complaint with the Chennai Corporation, blaming the temple authorities for causing the traffic problem and encroaching public space.
“The area cannot tolerate the crowd on Thursdays. It is worse between 7.45 a.m. and 8.45 a.m. when parents are taking their children to schools,” says Sridhar Venkataraman, a parent and resident of East Abhiramapuram, who filed the complaint.
Most residents have taken objection to the barricades that are allegedly being placed by temple authorities, and thereby cutting off access for road users.
On Thurdays, vendors come out in large numbers and encroach upon the pedestrian space. As temple does not provide a dedicated space for parking, two-wheelers are parked on the road.
Vehicles coming to P.S. School also contribute to the traffic on the road. The school management however says they have introduced various measures, including staggering school timings and asking motorists to enter through Sharada Puram and exit from Alamelumanga Puram. At least five parent volunteers help regulate traffic regularly.
“Venkatesa Agraharam can be made a walk-only-zone at least on a Thursday. We are working on a plan, which may involve persuading our senior students to walk to school from Venkatesa Agraharam. Those staying close-by can cycle to school,” says Lakshmi Srinivasan, principal of P.S. Senior Secondary School.
The Corporation official said they had issued notices to the temple authorities seeking an explanation for building the sun shade without seeking permission and placing a chapal stand on the road.
“Previously, we had a complaint from a resident about the blaring sound from the temple and after we served notice the volume was bought down,” said the official.
The temple authorities have refrained for commenting.
Sridhar Venkataraman invites residents to join him in working with the police and the Corporation to make the neighbourhood a better place. He can be reached at 9790957208.
