Over the last few months, pedestrians using the Taramani foot overbridge (FOB) have complained of non-functional escalators. The FOB connects the eastern and western sides of the 100ft Road, providing access to Pammal Nallathambi Street and Thanthai Periyar Nagar in Taramani. Moreover, the three signals at the intersection of 100ft Road, Pammal Nallathambi Street and Thanthai Periyar Nagar are remaining defunct for years.
Constant movement of vehicles from Velachery Main Road, Rajiv Gandhi Salai and MGR Salai in Kandanchavadi makes it difficult for the pedestrians to cross the intersection. Absence of medians on the stretch adds to the problem. A few motorists jump lanes, making it worse for pedestrians.
“At present, pedestrians have to climb two floors to cross from one side to the other. The FOB has become a home for beggars and tipplers. Due to the height of the FOB, pedestrians find it difficult to climb up the staircases,” R. Anand, a pedestrian, said.
Pedestrians say senior citizens and children are the worst-affected.
“Steps must be taken to repair the escalators and to appoint a security personnel near the FOB to prevent tipplers and beggars from occupying it,” he added.
A State Highways Department official said steps would be taken to make the escalators functional at the earliest.
