Motorists taking E.V.R. Periyar Salai in Park Town have requested the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) to issue a directive to crew of route numbers plying on the stretch not to halt the buses outside the pedestrian subway connecting the eastern and western sides of the stretch.
The undesignated halting point is just a few metres away from the traffic signal at the intersection of EVR Periyar Salai and Pallavan Salai.
As a result of this, motorists are not able to move after the signal turns green. Undisciplined motorists don’t wait for the route numbers to move on. Many motorists jump lanes causing traffic congestion; and altercations between motorists are common.
To avoid traffic congestion outside Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, Park Town, the Chennai Corporation constructed five bus shelters with benches years ago.
This move by the Corporation was appreciated by commuters as it reduced congestion and motorists were not stuck when route numbers halted at designated stopping points.
At present, people board their route numbers outside the subway. The drivers of the route numbers halt outside the hospital and subway. It is a common sight to see commuters trying to board their route numbers when the bus is moving, unmindful of the consequences.
“Adding to the chaos, autos and share auto drivers park their vehicles in the space abutting the pavements. The pavements are encroached upon by vendors. Pedestrians walking towards Park Station can’t move freely. The autos are parked up to the intersection of E.V.R. Periyar Salai and Pallavan Salai hindering free movement of pedestrian traffic,” says R. Krishna, a pedestrian. The traffic police personnel remain a mute spectator to the chaos created by the commuters, auto and bus drivers near the intersection.
MTC officials say buses halt at designated points outside the hospital.
