Chennai’s suburbs were engulfed in unprecedented traffic snarls on Monday as schools reopened after the summer break, coinciding with the return of thousands of residents from their hometowns.
The situation was further exacerbated by the aftermath of a major political event in Madurai, leading to a perfect storm of congestion across key arterial roads. The Tiruchy-Chennai National Highway, a vital corridor connecting southern Tamil Nadu to the state capital, witnessed bumper-to-bumper traffic from Sunday evening. Vehicles moved at a crawl, with some stretches experiencing delays of up to four hours. Notably, the Acharapakkam toll plaza near Chengalpattu became a significant bottleneck, with vehicles stretching for kilometres. Tambaram, a bustling suburban hub, faced a unique set of challenges. With the reopening of schools, families from over a hundred nearby villages flocked to the area to purchase school supplies.
This surge in footfall led to vehicles being parked along roadsides, further narrowing already congested streets. Key roads such as GST Road, Shanmugam Road, and Rajaji Road were heavily impacted. Adding to the woes, commuters arriving at Tambaram railway station faced difficulties in switching to local buses or other modes of transport, leading to further gridlocks. To alleviate the pressure on main roads, authorities implemented strategic diversions. Alternate routes such as the Singaperumal Koil–Oragadam Road, Vandalur–Minjur Outer Ring Road, and Vandalur–Walajabad Road were activated to manage the flow of traffic. Additionally, the deployment of additional police personnel and home guards helped in regulating traffic and preventing further escalation.
The reopening of schools coincided with disruptions in suburban train services. Southern Railway had announced the cancellation of over a dozen suburban train services and the partial curtailment of two others due to planned engineering and signal block work. This led to an increased reliance on road transport, further straining the city’s infrastructure. Despite the efforts to manage the situation, the traffic congestion highlighted the pressing need for long-term solutions. The implementation of an Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS) has been proposed to regulate vehicular movement on key roads like GST Road, Rajiv Gandhi Salai, and East Coast Road. However, the effectiveness of such systems will depend on timely implementation and public cooperation.
As Chennai continues to grapple with rapid urbanisation, the challenges of traffic congestion are becoming more pronounced. Stakeholders, including government agencies, urban planners, and residents, must collaborate to develop sustainable solutions that ensure efficient mobility while prioritising environmental and public health considerations.
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