For the traffic police personnel on the beat, managing the four-way Cooks Road-Stephenson Road junction is a real juggling act. All the traffic signals at the junction — involving Stephenson Road, Perambur High Road, Cooks Road and Govindhan Street — strike a posture of indifference. The “non-cooperation” stems from a persistent lack of agency, not a periodic glitch. Reportedly, ever since the traffic signals were installed, they have not been activated. Habitues of the junction note the traffic lights are either totally inactive or strike a note of caution with a blinking amber.
One of the inactive traffic signals at the junction. | Photo Credit: PRINCE FREDERICK
With the opening of the Greater Chennai Corporation-maintained Stephenson Road Chengai Sivam Bridge nearly nine months ago, expectations around the traffic ecosystem in the region has shot up and in that light, the non-functioning traffic signals at this busy junction come across as a glaring blot on the escutcheon.
A lone traffic personnel regulating traffic at the Cooks Road-Stephenson Road junction, on March 21, 2024. | Photo Credit: PRINCE FREDERICK
The P2 Otteri law and order police maintain a booth at the junction. The responsibility of regulating the junction rests with the traffic wing of the Pulianthope police.
The traffic planning unit (in Collaboration with Greater Chennai Corporation, if necessary) has to take step towards activating these signals.
