Chennai’s Madhya Kailash junction: only for the bravehearts among pedestrians

One needs to be a braveheart to cross the Madhya Kailash junction in Adyar on foot during peak hours. With traffic pouring in from all directions, pedestrians are given second-class treatment. The zebra crossing is of no use, as it only allows one to cross one half of Sardar Patel Road, and even there, people run as fast as they can.

“If you wait for the red light, you will remain waiting. We just have to cross at the mercy of drivers by gesturing them to slow down,” said a pedestrian headed for Adyar from the IIT side, as she helped a bewildered senior citizen cross the road.

Pedestrians often form groups and cross the road amid traffic, sometimes dangerously, especially when vehicles take the bus bay side from Rajiv Gandhi Salai.

Bus bay

The bus bay on Sardar Patel Road, parallel to the bus stop behind it, is another joke, as many MTC buses stop only on the main carriageway, forcing commuters to run through traffic to reach the steps. “I have been waiting for a bus for quite some time. The app shows a couple of 49S buses to Iyyapanthangal, but I do not know where they will stop. Some come near the stop, others do not,” said a commuter, refreshing the app on her phone.

Vehicles take 15-20 minutes to cross the signal, which should be reduced to make driving more comfortable. “There are two works going on at that junction, and they seem to be making both driving and walking uncomfortable. The stretches of Sardar Patel Road and Rajiv Gandhi Salai are badly patched and not smooth. There is a gaping hole where the stormwater drain ends on the left side of Sardar Patel Road. That should be fixed soon,” said R. Viswanathan, a resident of Adyar.

Since the road is an important thoroughfare with frequent VIP vehicle movement, the traffic police stationed at the junction are forced to ensure that traffic keeps moving. They do oblige the odd pedestrian who wants to cross from the CLRI school side. Lighting in the area could be improved, said Sripal, a doctor who frequently uses the MRTS. “There are a few focus lamps, but they are not enough. The construction debris behind the Madhya Kailas temple ought to be removed,” he suggested.