Pedestrians frequenting Medavakkam Main Road, Vanuvampet, Puzhuthivakkam, Madipakkam and Keezhkattalai have requested the State Highways Department to clear encroachments and place bollards on the footpath. They have also requested the Chennai Traffic Police to lay speed-breakers on the stretch and to take action against unauthorised parking of vehicles on the carriageway.
On these sections of Medavakkam Main Road, the State Highways Department has widened the carriageway from two-lane to four-lane. The walkers’ pathway on these sections of the road is usurped by commercial establishments and unauthorised parking of vehicles.
N. Radhakrishnan, a resident of Nanganallur, says, “Between Puzhuthivakkam and Vanuvampet, there is no space for pedestrians to walk. The walkers’ pathway has been usurped by a commercial establishment selling second-hand vehicles (bikes). Besides, a few commercial establishments have placed signboards near the footpath. As a result, pedestrians are forced to walk in the middle of the carriageway.” Residents demand that speed-breakers be laid at these sections of the road to ensure safety for pedestrians who find it difficult to cross the road. Every day, countless number of motorists negotiate the stretch to reach Velachery, Medavakkam, Pallavaram and Pallikaranai. Though widened recently, the width of the carriageway has again narrowed down due to haphazard parking of vehicles.
