A row of auto-rickshaws and cabs parked in front of a mall on Arcot Road is hindering traffic movement, especially during rush hour, near the Vadapalani junction. The traffic snarls get worse on weekends as the mall witnesses greater footfall.
In this space where these vehicles halt, there was a bus shelter of Metropolitan Transport Corporation (near the mall) until a few years ago, which was done away with to prevent traffic snarls. This space has come in handy for auto-rickshaw drivers.
“Almost round-the-clock, auto-rickhaws can be found parked in that space. Operators of MTC buses and other heavy vehicles find it difficult to negotiate the spot,” says G. Vignesh, a resident of Vadapalani.
Residents say that a decade ago, auto-rickshaw drivers used to wait near the MTC terminus at Vadapalani, now they prefer to wait near the mall. Residents feel the necessity of a pedestrian-crossing near the mall. They have also pointed out that there is no MTC stopover between the Vadapalani terminus and the Vadapalani temple, which is a distance of around one kilometre.
In this regard, Chennai Traffic Police sources say, “With limited personnel, the Vadapalani police finds it difficult to regulate traffic on Arcot Road. However, steps will be taken to prevent haphazard parking near the mall.”
