Being a pedestrian has become a matter of great risk for a lot of people who are forced to take the Thirumangalam -Ambattur Industrial Estate Road, a key road linking Anna Nagar with Mogappair and Ambattur. Crossing the road is a herculean task and has even proved fatal for some.
With residential colonies and schools on either side, traffic is heavy during most part of the day. Though there are traffic signals installed at regular intervals, pedestrians often have to risk their lives to cross the road.
Residents complain that there is no zebra crossing on the entire stretch and some fatal accidents have occurred in the past. It is particularly difficult to cross the busy Bazaar Road junction leading to Collector Nagar, Mogappair East and T.S. Krishna Nagar-Officers’ Colony junction. Lots of children cross the stretch to reach schools.
D. Ram, who was injured in a road accident in 2009, recalls that he was knocked down by a speeding motorist on the Bazaar Road junction while trying to cross the road. “People still continue to violate traffic signals and pedestrians have tough time crossing the junctions. Many residents use the junction to access the hospital and bus stop on the other side of the Bazaar Road junction.”
Moreover, the footpath is also encroached on at many places on the stretch. Pedestrians, especially senior citizens, find it difficult to cross the road at night,” added V. Rajagopal, another resident.
Residents demand that foot overbridges with escalators must be constructed to ensure the safety of pedestrians like the one built near School Road, Anna Nagar. Zebra crossings must also be provided on the road.
