Chennai: If you look at the stretch from Vanuvampet to Kumaran theatre, the road is wide and motorable. Whereas the other part of the Medavakkam Main Road, from Kumaran theatre to Keelkattalai bus terminus, the busy road is always jam-packed as half of the road is taken by encroachments and for parking.
Not more than a couple of months ago, the said stretch was widened, relaid and a center median erected near Oil Mill bus stop, state residents.
This has helped reduce traffic snarls on the busy road. But, the other part of the road that connects Madipakkam to areas like Keelkattalai and Kovilambakkam has not been given any attention, claim residents.
On any given day, this road will be jam-packed around 9 am and 7 pm as that is the time when most of the people commute between their residences and workplaces.
People living in and around Nanmangalam, Kovilambakkam, Ambal Nagar and Keelkattalai take this road to reach the city and further North. Since this road has become very narrow, commuters find it difficult travelling via this stretch, stated residents.
R Srinivasan, from Kovilambakkam says, “Everyday, from 7 to 10 pm, it takes at least 20 to 25 minutes to cross this stretch which is not more than three kilometres long. Especially near the Keelkattalai junction and Echangadu signal, traffic is heavy and even pedestrians find it difficult to walk as the footpath has been encroached by shops on either side of the road. Half of the road is being used for parking.”
“Traffic policemen should take strict action like towing the vehicles that are parked on the either side and impose heavy fines. At least then, people will not use the road for parking.”
Sushanth, a resident of Manikandan Nagar says, “This road is used by hundreds of commuters every day and heavy vehicles like lorries and buses also use this road. Minor accidents take place in this stretch everyday. If the encroachments are cleared from this road, more than tens of thousands of people will be benefited.”