Residents of Anna Nagar have souught the early completion of the ongoing Chennai metro rail work, complaining that the traffic diversions have changed the residential atmosphere of their locality.

The interior roads, which were quiet and lush, are no longer the same, said the residents, adding that children are forced to remain indoors because of the high traffic flow and the noise pollution from vehicles disrupt sleep.

“Most of the residents here have followed town-planning rules. However, now there is haphazard parking on the wide roads and traffic congestion has become the order of the day,” rued Sathya Narayanan, a retired government teacher who resides near Anna Nagar Blue Star.

The traffic diversions to facilitate metro rail work in Anna Nagar has inconvenienced pedestrians who are forced to walk on the cramped roads and struggle to cross the bylanes, said the residents.

Deputy commissioner of police, traffic (west) Santhosh Kumar said that the diversions are unavoidable and it is expected to be in place for at least two years. However, it depends on how quickly the work is completed, he said.

”We have placed boards indicating the routes to be taken by the motorists on all prominent roads. The public could also approach the cops on duty to help them,” he said.

Moreover, the officers on duty at night have been instructed to ensure that the boards are in proper condition.