Tue Jun 24 18:21:45 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
Chennai is grappling with increased traffic congestion around schools. The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) and Chennai Traffic Police are planning to implement one-way traffic arrangements near schools where congestion is severe. This follows complaints from parents about reduced parking space due to newly erected safety barricades, despite footpaths having been used for parking in the past. Councillors are raising the issue in the upcoming Corporation Council meeting, citing resident complaints about congestion on roads like Casa Major Road and Ethiraj Salai. Suggestions for one-way traffic are being made for other areas like Kutchery Road and PV Koil Street.
**News Article:**
**Chennai Tackles School Traffic Congestion with One-Way Plans**
**CHENNAI, June 24, 2025** – The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) and Chennai Traffic Police are set to implement one-way traffic systems near schools across the city in response to growing congestion. The move comes after schools reopened earlier this month, exacerbating existing traffic issues.
Parents have voiced concerns about reduced parking spaces due to new safety barricades erected by the GCC along pedestrian infrastructure near schools. These barricades, intended to improve student safety, have inadvertently made it difficult for parents to drop off and pick up their children, particularly those in kindergarten and primary sections.
“Traffic congestion has increased because of twelve schools and colleges in my ward,” said Egmore Councillor Fatima Ahmed Muzaffer. “Residents want a solution, protecting the pedestrians in each neighbourhood. GCC officials should discuss with traffic police to resolve the traffic issues, with data about traffic collected in real time from the Integrated Command and Control Centre of Chennai Corporation.”
The issue will be a focal point of discussion at the upcoming Corporation Council meeting. Councillors are also proposing specific one-way traffic solutions for heavily congested areas. Former councillor S. Mangala Raj suggested that Kutchery Road and PV Koil Street should become one-way to alleviate congestion caused by schools in the Santhome High Road area.
Ward 99 councillor Parithi Elamsurithi has called for new traffic arrangements for students of Kerala Vidyalaya on EVR Periyar First Lane to improve safety.
The new traffic arrangements are expected to be implemented shortly, with the Traffic Police advising schools to prepare for the changes and engage in discussions with parents. The goal is to find a balance between ensuring student safety and easing the daily traffic woes experienced by residents and parents alike.
First Piper 