An intersection near the ramp of the Gemini flyover connecting G.N. Chetty Road and Sundar Street (earlier known as Mayor Sundar Rao Street), behind Kamaraj Memorial in Teynampet seems to be largely off the radar of the traffic police. During the rush hour, on weekdays, traffic police personnel are present at the intersection.
Devoid of traffic police presence during the lean hours and weekends, motorists engage in traffic violations at this intersection with impunity.
Here is the dynamics of traffic flow in and around the intersection.
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Motorists coming from Gemini flyover should take a left turn at the intersection to reach Anna Salai via Sundar Street as the stretch of G.N. Chetty Road between North Boag Road and Gemini flyover is a one-way with motorists coming from Pondy Bazaar and North Boag Road being allowed to proceed straight to reach the flyover.
Beyond the North Boag Road intersection, G.N. Chetty Road is a two-way. To reach this two-way route, motorists, especially motorcyclists, coming from the flyover proceed straight towards G.N. Chetty Road taking motorists coming in the opposite direction by surprise.
“Many motorists, who drive on the wrong side of the flyover, drive fast scaring us. Traffic police personnel are posted regularly at the intersection near the flyover,” says K. Santhosh, a motorist from Teynampet.
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The existing one-way traffic arrangement was introduced in mid-2012 to facilitate Metro Rail work on Anna Salai. Despite the opening of Metro Rail stations between Washermenpet and DMS (Directorate of Medical Services) in Teynampet on Anna Salai, the existing traffic arrangement around Gemini flyover has been allowed to continue to ensure smooth flow of traffic on Anna Salai.
The only traffic change that was introduced near the Gemini flyover after the opening of Metro Rail stations on Anna Salai was the resumption of two-way traffic on Sundar Street, which had been made a one-way earlier Due to Metro Rail work, to reach Anna Salai easier.
Motorists say that lack of permanent presence of police personnel at the small intersection, absence of warning signboards including no entry boards and inadequate street lights are among reasons for traffic violations at the intersection.
Motorists also point out that the narrow bend at the intersection blocks the view of vehicles coming in the wrong direction from Gemini flyover, resulting in accidents especially during night.
Lack of traffic police presence during the lean hours of the day makes it convenient for motorists driving in the wrong side, from Gemini flyover to pass through the intersection to reach the two-way route on G.N. Chetty Road.
At present, a small team of traffic police personnel is present in front of Kamaraj Memorial hall near the Teynampet police station and at the Gemini flyover intersection to ensure free flow of traffic on key arterial stretches such as Radhakrishnan Salai and Anna Salai.
“Steps will be taken to deploy traffic police personnel for longer hours at the intersection soon,” say police sources.