Kodambakkam Road in West Saidapet inaccessible to motorists because of narrow width and encroachments

The Kodambakkam Road in West Saidapet is the main link road for motorists bound for West Mambalam, Ashok Nagar, T. Nagar and Guindy, but remains inaccessible because of the narrow width of the road and encroachments by vehicles and hawkers.

The arterial road surrounded by educational institutions, shops and markets, remains a nightmare for motorists. In addition, the operation of Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) buses only makes matters worse, as any bus or truck passing through the road is enough to bring the entire traffic on the road to a grinding halt.

S. Arun Subash, a resident of Guindy, said for any motorist proceeding to Ashok Nagar and Mambalam, the Kodambakkam Road is the main access road, but due to encroachments by hawkers, shops and unauthorised parking of vehicles, it takes a long while to cross the road on any given day during morning and evening peak hours. “It would be helpful if a traffic constable is posted at the junction of West Jones Road-Kodambakkam Road to regulate the flow of traffic,” he said.

Social activist G.D. Thirumalavasan said that the locals in the area had occupied the platform space and the shops has extended up until the roads. Further, unauthorised parking of vehicles, has compounded the mess. He sought better road geometry of  signages and traffic signal to be installed at the Govindan Road-Ashok Nagar junction. The Kodambakkam Road has become further congested,  after the flyover linking Alandur Road with the Guindy Industrial Estate was established, resulting in motorists avoiding the detour via Jawaharlal Nehru Salai.

At present the Chennai Corporation is engaged in construction of a storm water drain network in a portion of the road to prevent flooding, but the slow progress of the work has further created traffic bottlenecks for the motorists. The construction of the drain has impeded the flow of traffic on the road during peak hours with pedestrians facing severe hardships. A senior official of the City Traffic police said a traffic signal is already functioning at the Govindan Road junction and a traffic constable would be deputed at the West Jones Road junction to regulate the traffic.

A zone-level official with the Greater Chennai Corporation,  said the stormwater drain work is the main focus and will be done within the next 10 days.

Following this, the shops encroaching the roads will be removed as an eviction drive has been planned on Kodambakkam Road.