Despite opening of the underground stretch from Thirumangalam to Nehru Park, the traffic diversion put in place due to Chennai Metro Rail construction in Poonamallee High Road has not been restored.
Nearly four years ago, the traffic plan had to be changed on Poonamallee High Road, wherein a portion of it was made one way (between Kilpauk Medical College and Nehru Park) and commuters had to take a detour through Spur Tank Road.
Now that the underground stretch between Thirumangalam and Nehru Park is operational for nearly a month, commuters are puzzled why the two-way traffic has not resumed.
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Suhrith Ramakrishnan, who drives from his residence in Otteri to his workplace in Chetpet, said that he was looking forward to the change of traffic plan when he heard of the opening of the new underground stretch of Chennai Metro Rail.
“On some days, I don’t take my car and I end up paying more for the auto because of the detour. What stops the authorities from making it two-way now that the stretch is up and running? How long can we wait?” he asked.
Sudha Ramalingam, an advocate who travels from Arumbakkam to Parry’s Corner, said she wastes an additional half hour on the road because of the traffic diversion.
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“Everyday, for years now, we are spending so much petrol because of the detour. When the work is supposedly over, why aren’t they opening it” she asked.
Meanwhile, Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) officials said that they have been holding discussions with Chennai Traffic Police and the original traffic plan may resume in a month’s time.
Works pending
“We had to complete the construction of two additional entry/exits and some ancillary work. It is almost over and the traffic pattern will be changed in a month,” an official said.
A senior official of Chennai Traffic Police said that the CMRL has to complete its pending works and once these works are over then the police would be in a position to make it two-way again in a month or two.