A newly installed LED display at the Southern Railway’s Tirusulam ticket counter complex is sparking safety concerns for drivers on GST Road. It's especially troublesome for those traveling from Meenambakkam towards Tambaram. The screen, located just below the flyover and right after the Meenambakkam grounds, is said to be glaringly bright, particularly near the traffic signal.
Local vendors have reported incidents that they link to the LED display. One street vendor shared a story of a woman and her child who fell off their vehicle after being distracted by the screen. Fortunately, they only suffered minor injuries. Drivers have suggested dialing down the brightness of the display or swapping it out for a traditional hoarding to reduce risks.
Officials from Southern Railway have stated that the LED hoarding was installed with public safety in mind and that the brightness of the LED screen would be reduced. Traffic police personnel assured to coordinate with the Railways to ensure road safety in the area.
The LED display isn't the only challenge for commuters on this busy stretch. Near the Pallavaram flyover, close to the Air Force Police headquarters, heavy vehicles often make sudden right turns. This causes confusion and abrupt swerves. N. Ganesh, who commutes daily between Chromepet and Meenambakkam, noted that drivers often hesitate and change direction suddenly.
Jaywalking is a persistent issue too. Many pedestrians cross the GST Road to reach the Tirusulam Metro Railway station, even though a subway is available. Commuters argue that the subway requires a significant detour. Derek, a regular commuter, suggested a skywalk or an escalator-friendly connection between the Tirusulam Railway Station and the Metro station would be a big help.
Further south, the GST Road-Acharya Thulsi Road junction is another trouble spot. Motorists describe the traffic signal there as ineffective during peak hours. This leads to chaotic traffic with vehicles making U-turns and reversing across the intersection. Xavier, an automobile trader, observed that the area becomes a free-for-all during busy times.
Beyond the flyover, drivers face severe bottlenecks and a narrow road stretch. The Highways Department is working to widen the road by removing encroachments from the Pallavaram-Thoraipakkam Radial Road flyover towards Pallavaram. But activists are urging that these efforts be sped up due to increasing traffic volumes.
Congestion worsens at junctions near Saravana Stores, Chromepet Railway Station, and Tambaram Sanatorium. Selvam, a daily-wage worker from Irumbuliyur, described the commute as exhausting, especially upon reaching the Tambaram bus stand.
Activists and drivers are calling for better coordination among the Highways Department, Southern Railway, and Tambaram Corporation to tackle these ongoing issues. As a long-term solution, some have proposed building an elevated corridor towards Chengalpattu to ease traffic woes.
