The intersection of Pandian Nagar Road and East Coast Road in Vettuvankeni is chaotic, especially during the rush hour. Residents of three neighbourhoods in Vettuvankeni: Pandian Nagar, Bismillah Nagar and Bay Watch Farm cite the presence of vendors near the intersection as the reason for the traffic snarls near the intersection. Bay Watch Farm Plot Owners’ Association has made a request to the State Highways Department to relocate the vendors. The residents say that the vendors occupy a sizeable space on margins of the East Coast Road and therefore pedestrians have to walk on the carriageway. In addition, customers of these vendors park their vehicles in a haphazard manner hindering free movement of other vehicles.
Above all, what annoys the residents is that motorists drive on the wrong side on East Coast Road to access Pandian Nagar Road. To avoid taking a U-turn at an intersection near Chinnadi Kuppam Road in Injambakkam. Besides, motorists come at a breakneck speed from Neelankarai (On East Coast Road) when motorists from Pandian Nagar Road take a left turn towards Injambakkam.Only a few disciplined motorists halt to let the motorists from Pandian Nagar take a left turn at the intersection.
More safety sought
Besides, the residents have requested the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) to lay additional speed breakers on Bay Watch Farm Main Road.
At present, GCC has laid a couple of speed breakers on the stretch.
The stretch facilitates connectivity to Vettuvankeni Beach. During the weekends, the stretch is negotiated by a good number of visitors to the beach.
It is a common sight to see youngsters driving through the stretch at a good speed. A speed breaker near the intersection of Bay Watch Farm Third Street and Bay Watch Farm Main Road, should be laid to prevent accidents. Near-miss accidents are common the intersection, residents point out. A GCC official says, a proposal (regarding laying of speed breakers) has been sent to the higher authorities concerned. Once the funds are sanctioned, the speed-breakers will be laid at the earliest, he points out.
