For pedestrians waiting to cross the roads at the intersection of Muthuswamy Salai, High Court Terminus Road and Esplanade Road, the task is nothing short of a feat. A busy intersection in the bustling business district of George Town, vehicles flow almost non-stop and the traffic signal does not help their cause.
“The signal does function but the motorists don’t bother to follow the rules. Even if the pedestrian signal is blinking in its bright green, motorists zoom past as if we are invisible,” says Sumathi Srinivasan, a resident of Vallalar Nagar.
It would be of great help to the pedestrians if the Greater Chennai Traffic Police to deploy traffic police personnel at the intersection to monitor and regulate the vehicles.
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Motorists from Chennai Central, Evening Bazaar Road and Rattan Bazaar Road taking a free left turn to enter Esplanade Road, even when the pedestrian signal is green, is a common sight. “The pedestrians have to wave at the motorists to halt so that we can cross safely. They drive at reckless speed most often and race with others to make it on time. But we have to reach our destinations on time too so we have no other option than darting across the road amidst the vehicle flow. There are just a few motorists who obey the traffic signals,” Sumathi adds.
The pedestrians have also requested the Greater Chennai Traffic Police to take steps to increase the crossing time at the intersection to 45 seconds.