Motorists were happy when two-way traffic system was restored on Anna Salai from September 12 after seven long years. In 2012, the stretch was made one-way to facilitate Chenna Metro Rail work.
But soon motorists found that age-old issues like congestion, bottlenecks and confusion over U-turns have only increased.
In February, the final stretch from AG-DMS to Washermanpet via Chennai Central was completed and opened to public. Early this month, the entire stretch of Anna Salai became two-way, after a trial between LIC and Whites Road junction by the traffic police.
Motorists say the two-way system has exacerbated congestion, especially during peak hours.
“There is heavy traffic pile-up on the Gemini Flyover and even on G.N. Chetty Road, as many vehicles wait to make a right turn at the Whites Road junction. Beyond this, the congestion eases,” said M. Ashok, a motorist. Those new to the city are confused due to lack of signage.
“While going towards Gemini flyover, there are no-entry boards tied to barricades at the Anna Salai-G.P. Road junction. After this point, I was not sure where to take a left turn to head to Royapettah,” said Tanmay Kumar, a medical representative.
‘No right turn’
Senior traffic police officers agree that the Whites Road-Anna Salai junction is a problem. “From Monday, we will not allow right turn at this junction and only U-turn will be allowed. This will reduce congestion to some extent,” said an officer.
“As of now banners indicating direction have been placed. We will be placing metal signages soon. Five signals will be installed on Anna Salai and Whites Road. This will solve the direction problems,” he said.
Parts of Anna Salai, from Thousand Lights to LIC and then near Government Estate, are in a bad state. Haphazard parking from the Wallajah Road junction till P.Orr and Sons has only contributed to traffic congestion.
Though Metro Rail’s final stretch became functional seven months back, work relating to relaying of roads and construction of a median in a section of Anna Salai is not over yet. Precast concrete barriers are still placed along the road.
According to officials of Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL), it will take another month to finish the work. “We waited for the two-way traffic to begin and only after that we could begin building the median after looking at the width available. We will begin relaying the roads soon,” an official said.
Published - September 30, 2019 01:20 am IST
