The Hindu reports: While congestion has already increased during peak hours, residents fear the situation could worsen once schools reopen.According to G. Kumaravelu, a resident, “This stretch is a perfect example of how poor planning and slow execution can paralyse traffic on an arterial road. There is often little to no visible traffic police presence when congestion peaks during peak hours.
They have dug up the road extensively and left it in a terrible state. There is no coordination and the entire stretch has become a mess.”According to M. Bhaskar, “Vehicles converging from 45-feet Road and Thiruvalluvar Salai at this intersection causes chaos.
Background
It could take few more months for the ROB to be completed and the residents have to bear the brunt. Worse than the traffic congestion is the heavy dust pollution at the construction site, causing major problems for road users.”The bridge was designed to be 732-metre-long with two-lane capacity. When construction came to a halt in 2019, 632 metres of the bridge was completed and the portion linking the bridge to the point near Newton Theatre on Maraimalai Adigal Salai was left incomplete.The ROB is to cater to two lane traffic with 7.5 metre carriageway and 1.5 metre raised footpaths on either side.
Key facts
- While congestion has already increased during peak hours, residents fear the situation could worsen once schools reopen.According to G.
- Kumaravelu, a resident, “This stretch is a perfect example of how poor planning and slow execution can paralyse traffic on an arterial road.
- There is often little to no visible traffic police presence when congestion peaks during peak hours.
What this means
There will also be provision for service ducts below the footpath. Along with the construction of the bridges, work has also been taken up to strengthen the drain for increasing its carriage capacity. The drainage system along the ROB would also be strengthened, the official added.According to a Police official, “The stretch witnesses frequent VIP movement and with one side of the road being used for two-way traffic, congestion has become rampant during peak hours.
The reopening of schools could increase traffic pressure on the stretch. Right now, we have deployed additional personnel on the stretch. The only solution is for the work to be completed as soon as possible.”
Originally reported by The Hindu. This story has been edited and re-presented by BRIC Team.
