Flyovers yet to smoothen motorists’ path

Dec. 15: Over the last year alone, the state government has inaugurated three major flyovers — at Kathipara junction, at Padi and, recently, at Pallikaranai –—as part of its efforts to decongest traffic bottlenecks at entry points into the city. But, these grade separators seem to have made driving more hazardous for motorists who are still confused about their usage due to the slack approach of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the traffic police. Reckless driving along the grade separators has also resulted in several accidents, some of them even fatal.
These grade separators have, by and large, eased the flow of traffic at peaks hours along the roads they serve. This is especially noticeable in the stretch of the Inner Ring Road between Koyambedu and Red Hills which was always crowded and it took at least 30 minutes to cross the junction. “Now, it is a lot faster,” says Mr Narasimhalu, a bank employee from Kolathur, who uses the stretch of the 100 feet road regularly. Motorists who pass by the Kathipara junction before the flyover was built expressed similar views.
However, they claim that driving over the Kathipara grade separator is chaotic at the entry and exit points for new vehicles that enter the grade separator when they have to merge with vehicles that are already speeding on the flyover.
“It is more dangerous during night hours as speeding cars and vans change lanes without looking to their right. The vehicles that enter into the flyover have
to be extremely cautious while merging,” says Mr Prasad, a resident of Koyambedu who rides a two-wheeler over the Kathipara grade separator to reach his office at Adyar daily. “I have personally seen several close encounters as traffic merges.”
Another serious complaint of the motorists regarding all the major grade separators is that vehicles ride over the flyovers at top speed and are suddenly forced to reduce speed as they merge with more congested roads.
The motorists suggest the setting up of speed-breakers just before the flyovers merge with the main roads to avoid risk of accidents.
Suburban traffic police claim that they have been alerted about the hazards faced by motorists on flyovers.
“We have requested NHAI authorities to have more informative sign boards to reduce risk of accidents. Since it is meant for free-flowing traffic, no permanent police posting is available.
However, our beat marshals patrol the grade separator on a regular basis,” says deputy commissioner of police (suburban traffic), Mr Karthikeyan.
NHAI authorities claimed that they have initiated efforts to identify safety loopholes on all the major grade separators.
“We have already requested a team of safety consultants to study both the Padi and Kathipara grade separators and come out with suggestions to improve safety for motorists. The team will also interact with motorists and understand their issues.” says Mr A. Kannan, project director, NHAI – Project Implementation Unit.