Chaos reigns supreme at New Perungalathur junction

At New Perungalathur junction, ever since motorists from Gandhi Road – Kamarajar Salai were allowed to take a right turn towards Peerkankaranai, pedestrians are complaining. Earlier, poles were placed to check vehicular traffic. The poles were removed recently. 

Taking advantage of the situation, motorists from Otteri and Irumbuliyur make U-turns and from Otteri enter Gandhi Road – Kamarajar Salai.

Both pedestrians and motorists are caught between a sea of vehicles and struggle to cross the road. 

To avoid this, pedestrians and motorists from Gandhi Road risk their safety to cross GST Road. Traffic police personmel remain mute spectators to the chaos and do not come to the aid of pedestrians.

L. Chandralekha, a pedestrian says, “I am not against motorists from Kamarajar Nagar taking a right turn towards Peerkankaranai. A separate signal has to be facilitated. Earlier, motorists had to take right turns at Vandalur junction. Motorists from Otteri and Peerkankaranai can use the underpass connecting Old GST Road and GST Road. Pedestrians have to dodge the vehicles and run. Even the pedestrian crossing line is taken over by vehicles.” Pedestrians complain that motorists violating the traffic rules at the crossing do not signal and drive rashly.

The traffic junction is the gateway to the city and sees an enormous amount of traffic. Yet no action has been taken. Adding to the chaos, even drivers handling heavy vehicles from Otteri, take a u-turn, when motorists negotiate. Heavy vehicle drivers from Gandhi Road take a free left turn, which is more dangerous.