Mon Dec 09 18:13:11 UTC 2024: **Chennai Residents Demand Santhome High Road Widening to Ease Traffic Congestion**
CHENNAI, December 10, 2024 – Residents and autorickshaw drivers along Santhome High Road in Chennai are urging the Greater Chennai Corporation and police to address severe traffic congestion by removing encroachments and widening the road. The issue, highlighted in a recent report by *The Hindu*, impacts commuters, students attending 13 schools in the area, and businesses.
J. Anburose, secretary of the CPI(M) Ward 125, called for a complete survey of the road to identify areas for widening, citing similar improvements on East Coast Road. V. Rajkumar, a daily commuter to the High Court, pointed out a decade-old Corporation resolution to widen the road that remains unimplemented. He suggested utilizing open space belonging to institutions along the road.
Autorickshaw drivers, who transport hundreds of students daily, reported significant delays and increased fares due to the traffic. They described lengthy detours necessitated by one-way traffic restrictions, often leading to traffic violations.
The Neithal Makkal Katchi echoed these concerns, submitting petitions demanding the restoration of two-way traffic on Santhome High Road and Marina Loop Road, and the completion of the road widening project. The group highlighted the difficulties residents face accessing essential services in the Mylapore and Luz areas, and called for addressing speeding vehicles on Marina Loop Road despite existing speed breakers. Restoring two-way traffic, they argue, would naturally slow down faster traffic.
First Piper 