To address heavy traffic along the Pallavaram–Thoraipakkam Radial Road, the Pallikaranai Traffic Police have implemented major changes at the Sunnambu Kolathur junction. This move follows the earlier success of similar measures near Kamakshi Hospital on the Velachery Main Road–Pallavaram Radial Road stretch.Despite the presence of a flyover at Kamakshi Hospital junction, traffic snarls continued below it. Inspired by the effective signal removal there, officials have now taken out traffic signals at two key junctions: Sunnambu Kolathur Main Road–Dr. Ambedkar Salai and Vinayagapuram Main Road.
To ease vehicle movement, ‘U’ turns have been introduced along the radial road. While these changes have reduced waiting time at signal points, they have also led to an increase in wrong-side driving, especially by two-wheeler riders trying to reach nearby shops and eateries.
Local residents have mixed reactions. S. Muneeswaran, a resident of Dr. Ambedkar Salai, welcomed the reduced congestion but expressed worry over the spike in traffic violations. L. Kasirajan, a regular commuter from Pallavaram, pointed out that heavy vehicles often block lanes at the new U-turn points during peak hours and urged the deployment of constables for better regulation.
A senior official from the Tambaram Police Commissionerate confirmed that this initiative is part of a pilot project. The next course of action will depend on feedback from the public.