Pedestrians at crossroads due to lack of subways in city

A large number of pedestrians and activists feel that it is high time the Corporation officials carry out a feasibility study for constructing more number of subways across arterial roads in the city.  And, the Corporation too seems to be aware of it. 

According to the Corporation website, there are six pedestrian subways in the city. 

However, with the city expanding on all sides and more areas being merged with the Greater Chennai Corporation it is inadequate to cater to the ever increasing population.  

It is a common sight that people keep waiting for nearly 10 to 15 minutes to cross some of the key intersections on arterial stretches like Poonamallee High Road, Jawaharlal Nehru Road (Inner Ring Road) and Anna Salai. 

“It is a fact that the city needs considerable number of pedestrian subways, because the existing ones were constructed decades ago,” says S Mohanram, a citybased civic activist and president of Consumer Protection Council, Thirunindravur. 

He adds that hawkers contribute to the congestion by encroaching most of the space on the subways and the pedestrians feel hard to navigate through the wares spread on the floor of the subways. He urges the authorities to inspect all the main roads and intersections and explore the possibilities of having either a subway or skywalk to help the public. 

A Velumani, a resident of Maduravoyal says “I dread walking along Poonamallee High Road, crossing tit will be a nightmare.” 

K Moorthy, who has been waiting for nearly 15 minutes at Vadapalani junction to cross the road says “Unlike in the past, one could not easily cross the roads at congested junctions. Considering this fact, the officials should wake up from the deep slumber and apply corrective measures to construct new subways.” 

He adds “The stretch at Poonamallee High road near the Anna Arch is an alarming one to navigate for pedestrians like us.” 

When contacted, K.S. Kandasamy, Deputy Commissioner (Works), Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC), said that they are aware of the issue. “We will inspect the congested interjections and explore the possibility of constructing pedestrian subways or skywalks at the necessary junctions,” the official pointed out.

Todaiyapet: Thiruvottriyur High Road Subway near C.D Hospital 

Beach Station: Rajaji Salai subway 

Anna Square: Ezhilagam Subway near M.G.R. Samathi 

Mount Road: near Anna Statue 

Triplicane: Kamarajar Salai subway connecting the Beach 

Perambur: Jamaliah subway near Bus Terminus