The two junctions on Kamarajar Salai, one at the intersection of East Marret Street and the other at the intersection of East Veli Street, are not only closely located with barely 50 metres of distance between them but also one of the most congested in terms of vehicular movement.
With the areas located near the two junctions being the commercial hubs of the city, the junctions witness heavy movement of all types of vehicles -- from trucks and buses to share autos and tricycles.
Though the not-so-wide carriageway, huge volume of vehicles and their movement in different directions from the junctions make the congestion almost unavoidable, public opine that interventions in terms of planning and enforcement of traffic regulations could help in reducing the congestion to a large extent.
A complaint from a majority of motorists crossing the two junctions, particularly those coming from Kamarajar Salai towards Vilakkuthoon or the other way round, is stopping at two signals in quick succession, which often make them jump one of the signals in gross violation of rules.
“For instance, when I come from Vilakkuthoon, I first stop at East Marret junction. Then, immediately, I have to stop at East Veli junction. Vehicles easily get lined up till East Marret junction during peak hours, blocking the traffic coming from Mahal area and those wanting to take a right turn from Kamarajar Salai to East Marret Street,” said M. Abuthahir, an autorickshaw driver.
Claiming that the situation was the same for those coming towards Vilakuthoon, he said that fine-tuning and synchronising the two signals to avoid stopping of vehicles in quick succession could help in reducing congestion. Many also attributed the movement of share autos as a major reason for the congestion and haphazard movement of vehicles.
Pointing out that share autos operate in large numbers in the area owing to high demand for them, N. Selvendiran, a shopkeeper near the junction, complained that they were parked right near the signals to pick up and drop passengers, thereby creating chaos. “A good number of shops and juice joints located near the signal only add to the woes since the public also prefer to board autos right at the signal after visiting these shops,” he said.
A police official regulating traffic at East Marret junction acknowledged that they have a tough time in regulating the movement of share autos. “We prevent the parking of share autos through public address system by calling the number of parked vehicles. However, the drivers hardly listen to us,” he said.
Suggestions
A number of motorists and shopkeepers The Hindu interacted with also suggested restricting movement of trucks and tricycles at least during peak hours to reduce congestion at the junctions.
