venugopal

The new traffic arrangement by police to decongest the Harrington-Chetpet junction has led to gridlock on Nelson Manickam Road and Sterling Road during peak hours.


Water logging during rain is also a problem at Harrington road subway.

The new arrangement has come as a blow to several office-goers who had heaved a sigh of relief following the commissioning of the much-delayed Harrington Road subway a few months ago. They used the subway to reach Nungambakkam and Anna Salai during the morning rush hour to reach their offices. But now they feel the subway has been rendered useless.

Under the new system enforced by police from October 28, the Harrington Road subway has been declared one-way from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. for vehicles coming from EVR Periyar Salai (Poonamallee High Road) side.

Likewise, during 5 p.m - 8 p.m., only the vehicles from Chetpet towards EVR Periyar High Road can use the subway.

During these hours, vehicles from McNichols Road cannot turn into the Harrington Road at the Chepet signal. They also cannot turn right from Spurtank Road to the Chetpet overbridge.

Further, vehicles from Harrington Road cannot take a right turn into Valluvar Kottam High Road to reach Nungambakkam.

It is now utter chaos during the peak hours, as motorists turning into Harrington Road near Pachayappa's College during the morning are caught unawares by the new arrangement. Though there is a signpost displaying the restrictions, lorry drivers take the stretch thinking it will save them time. But the vehicles get piled up while being diverted onto Nelson Manickam Road through Chari Road. The narrow service lane on the subway leads to inordinate delays and traffic gridlocks. The arrangement is also eating into the pockets of commuters who opt for autorickshaws. Drivers have started charging more, pointing to the longer route to reach Nungambakkam and beyond following the restrictions.

Traffic police maintain that the new arrangement will be beneficial for commuters. Joint Commissioner (Traffic) Sunil Kumar said the new arrangement was to prevent autorickshaws and heavy vehicles from using the Harrington Road subway.

The only positive aspect of the arrangement seems to be for motorists using the Harrington Road subway during the evening hours.

news source: Hindu.com