Chennai: While the civic body continues to be clueless about solving traffic issues at Pondy Bazaar, where the work for Pedestrian Plaza is under way for over a year, here is a resident who has put forth his suggestions for a better way out.
Chartered Accountant Arun Kumar of Saravana Street feels making the entire vehicular flow as one-way is the most feasible option in hand.
According to him, “There is intense congestion every day during peak hours in and around Pondy Bazaar, especially in the stretch between Tirumalai Pillai Road junction to Panagal Park and then to West Mambalam through Duraiswamy Subway. The area is completely choked and vehicles get piled up, causing unnecessary wastage of fuel and time.”
About his proposal for decongesting the area, he says, “The two-way entry at main places like Duraiswamy Subway and Pondy Bazaar is the cause for the current situation. Making these areas one-way, with suitable entry options from nearby streets, will ease the traffic.”
Commuters from West Mambalam side should be directed to drive through Rangarajapuram flyover and subway, to reach Bazullah Road from where they can enter into Raghaviah Road and Thanikachalam Road, to reach various other destinations in T Nagar. Similarly, by making one-way entry from Teynampet side, traffic in Pondy Bazaar will be smooth till Panagal Park and West Mambalam.
Arun Kumar also suggests that MTC buses starting from T Nagar bus terminus should be moved through Usman Road flyover and take a turn at Bazullah Road, from where these can reach their destinations. By ndoing so, Burkit Road will be made free of vehicles coming from Pondy Bazaar and Teynampet, who can also enter into T Nagar and Madley Road subway, with ease.
“Various stretches such as Srinivasa Street and Narasimhan Street need to be made one-way, to facilitate smooth implementation of the plan,” he adds.
“The idea is to ensure vehicular movement is done in a circular fashion using a single-route system. This will also help commuters easily judge the travel time, even if it entails a few extra metres,” he says.