The changes in traffic pattern due to the ongoing Metro Rail construction work at the Anna Salai and Sundar Road Junction (in front of Kamarajar Arangam) has turned it into a risky spot for motorists.
The junction becomes chaotic when vehicles coming from Sundar Road join Anna Salai. Vehicles from Sundar Road which are heading towards Guindy must make their way along with those that are proceeding towards the Gemini Bridge on Anna Salai.
However, there is no sign board to caution motorists about the potential risk or even a speed breaker to slow them down at this busy spot. Many motorists on Anna Salai are often caught unawares by the vehicles suddenly emerging from Sundar Road and taking a turn just ahead of them.
Siva Kumar, a college lecturer who recently shifted to the city, was one of those motorists who had a close shave on this risky stretch. “I was riding on Anna Salai at quite a speed, as it was almost empty in the afternoon. I was about to take the Gemini Bridge and kept concentrating on vehicles moving across the bridge. I never expected that a vehicle would emerge from a small road on the side and take a turn in the middle of the road. I almost rammed my bike into the car,” he said.
Similarly, motorists coming from Sundar Road too cannot anticipate the vehicles approaching the junction from the Anna Salai due to the curve.
When queried, a senior police official said that vehicles from Sundar Road had been allowed to take Anna Salai only because of the Metro Rail work.
“Earlier, Sundar Road was a one-way and vehicles were not allowed to take it to reach Anna Salai. The current traffic arrangement is an ad hoc step due to the Metro work. To prevent such collisions, we are deploying a constable on the spot during peak hours. But due to staff shortage, we cannot deploy men there round the clock,” the official added.