Chennai: A group of Chennaiites, traffic police personnel and commuters took part in a puja performed on Wednesday on Anna Salai, near LIC, marking resumption of two-way traffic on Anna Salai after nearly eight years. The traffic cops led by Joint Commissioner (Traffic) South Dr K.Ejilearassane performed puja for the commencement of two-day trial run on the stretch between Anna statute to Thousand Lights. The traffic police will allow flow of vehicles on both ways on the road depending upon the response of the new regulation.
The police were making announcement through public address system regulating the motorists on the stretch. The stretch between Anna statue /LIC and Anand theatre was partially closed for vehicular movement and was made one-way in 2012. The authorities allowed only vehicles coming from Anna flyover (Gemini flyover) and Anand theatre on the road up to Anna statute after commencement of underground Chennai Metro Rail Limited work in 2012.
It may be noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had opened last leg of Phase 1 of CMRL in February this year. Nearly a decade after the work on the 45km phase-1 of CMRL began the network between Washermenpet and AG-DMS was inaugurated by Prime Minister through video-- conferencing from Tirupur. Since then the authorities were making efforts to allow traffic on both ways on the stretch between LIC and Thousand Lights. The road were repaired and relaid recently.
Efforts are going on to set up new traffic signals, median and barricades on the stretch. All vehicles including MTC buses, car and trucks are allowed on the stretch now. More than 250 MTC buses would pass through the stretch on 52 routes once the new regulations comes into effect.
Speaking to the reporters, Joint Commissioner (Traffic) South, Dr K.Ejilearassane said the trial run would be conducted on Wednesday and Thursday.
The cops will get response from commuters, motorists and traders in the area about the new traffic arrangements. The two-way traffic will be made permanent for free flow of traffic without congestion.
Reacting to the new arrangement, a trader S Surenderan, (34), of Saidapet, said “People faced hardship for the past eight years. The stretch between GP Road to Express Avenue was highly congestion. Hope the new arrangement will end traffic snarls and help in easy movement of motorists.”
Motorist M Sumathi, (24) of Royapetta said, “There was not much traffic on Anna Salai since Wednesday was Muharam holiday. Hope the new arrangement will solve the traffic congestion problem and save time.”
