Chennai: Looking at the accident site where Subhasri had died from the balcony of my apartment on 200 feet radial road was quite distressing. Immediately after the accident, the news had been shared in our residents' WhatsApp group.
Though not much was known about the victim at that time, the anguish mixed with anger was palpable.
While it was heartbreaking to see the life of a young woman snuffed out in this manner, there was anger that none could stop those who keep banners regularly on this arterial road.
On Friday, the accident spot was frequented by public, journalists, cameramen and police. The Pallavaram-Thoraipakkam road, aka 200 feet radial road, with slowly-disappearing green patches and open spaces, has been growing at fast pace with housing and commercial complexes coming up in a big way during the last three years.
The road connects GST road in Pallavaram and OMR (IT corridor/ Rajiv Gandhi Salai) in Thoraipakkam. It's proximity to East Coast Road and easy access to well-known hospitals, educational institutions and retail and transport hubs have made the road emerge as a popular destination for home buyers and realtors.
This in turn has led to a drastic rise in the number of vehicles plying on the road. During peak hours, traffic congestion haunts motorists. Since there are also a few marriage halls on the road, illegal banners and flags dot roadsides and medians quite often. After the accident on Thursday, such banners were removed. And we fervently hoped that Subhasri's death would put an end to the banner culture in our city and state.
