A poorly executed road repair project on Anna Salai in Chennai has significantly worsened traffic congestion, especially around the New Life Assembly of God (NLAG) Church near Little Mount. The road, which was dug up for civic work, was left improperly restored, forcing motorists to use only the right lanes. This has created a bottleneck on the already narrow 500-meter stretch between Chellammal Women’s College and the church, slowing down traffic considerably.
“The reduced number of lanes available only adds to the chaos,” said N Janaki, a resident of Saidapet. The situation is further complicated by the presence of an MTC bus stop just after the poorly repaired section. Buses struggle to navigate the sharp cut needed to avoid the rough patch, leading to long queues and delays. Each time a bus stops, the line of vehicles behind it grows longer, forcing motorists to wait an extra 10-15 seconds before moving forward.
Official data reveals that approximately 1.2 lakh vehicles pass through this spot daily. During peak hours, the traffic jam often extends back to Chellammal College, impacting not only office-goers but also ambulances trying to reach the nearby Rainbow Children’s Hospital.
An official from the state highways department, responsible for maintaining the road, has stated that the problem will be resolved within the week. However, the situation is made even more hazardous by the heavy pedestrian traffic heading towards the nearby metro rail station. “Hundreds of people rush to cross the road when the signal turns red for vehicles. Vehicles often jump the signal in the rush when police are not there to regulate traffic,” said Rajasundaram, who works at a private food outlet in the area.
To address the pedestrian safety issue, the government has proposed building a pedestrian bridge at the location. However, the project is yet to commence. The highways department floated a tender in December 2022 to hire a consultant to finalize the project design at a cost of 31 lakh rupees.
The lack of proper road repairs and the absence of a pedestrian bridge have created a dangerous and frustrating environment for commuters and residents alike. The situation highlights the need for improved infrastructure planning and timely execution of projects to ensure the smooth flow of traffic and the safety of pedestrians in the city.
