CHENNAI: At least ten people were injured in a chain collision involving four vehicles on the Tiruchy–Chennai National Highway near Madurantakam on Monday.
The accident involved two government buses, a private bus and a van returning to Chennai with devotees from the Melmaruvathur temple.
Ongoing flyover construction at Padalam and Pukkathurai has caused heavy congestion along the stretch, with vehicles moving slowly for long distances.
Police said the pile-up occurred when the vehicles attempted to gain speed despite the traffic buildup, resulting in a series of rear-end collisions. The four vehicles crashed into one another in quick succession.
Six devotees travelling in the van and four passengers from the government and private buses sustained injuries. All the injured were taken to the Madurantakam GH.
Following the incident, the damaged vehicles remained on the highway, causing a traffic backlog of nearly three kilometres. Madurantakam police cleared the spot using cranes and restored traffic flow. A case has been registered, and an investigation is under way.