Lack of adequate walking space on the pedestrian pathway of a vehicular bridge on Pallavan Salai in Park Town towards E.V.R. Periyar Salai, forces pedestrians to walk on the carriageway on both the sides.
During rush hours and at any point of time in the day, a large number of people could be seen walking on the pathway and carriageway to go to Chennai Park and Park Town railway stations, and Chennai Central suburban terminals (Avadi and Perambur).
The pedestrian pathway has been invaded by pushcart vendors and auto drivers who use the stretch as a parking lot to lure train commuters, leaving them with them no choice but walk on the road. “The pavements are not wide enough. A considerable portion of the pavements are covered with tactile pavers for the benefit of the visually-challenged and we have to make do with the little space available,” P. Malliga, a pedestrian, said. Lack of illumination adds to the risk on the stretch. “Several motorists pass through the bridge to reach areas such as Broadway, Mannady, Ennore, Kasimedu, Adyar, Saidapet and Little Mount.
Given the capacity of vehicular traffic after sunset on this stretch, lack of proper illumination is an inconvenience to the road-users,” N. Siva, a resident of Parry’s, said. The authorities concerned should take steps at the earliest to provide proper illumination to improve road-safety of pedestrians, motorists, he added.
