Opposing the construction of a fourfeet parapet wall on the median of Manali Expressway, Thiruvottiyur residents said they could not cross the stretch in the absence of pedestrian crossings.
The Manali Expressway, stretching from the Ernavur Flyover to Sathyamoorthy Nagar, passes through several densely populated residential areas.
Due to the high frequency of accidents along this stretch, authorities have initiated road infrastructure development projects to enhance safety.
The eastern side of this stretch includes residential areas such as Mullai Nagar, Jaihind Nagar, Murugappa Nagar, Jyothi Nagar, T.S. Gopal Nagar, T.K.S. Nagar, Mathura Nagar, Ponniamman Nagar, Subramania Nagar, Shanmugapuram, and Shanmugapuram Extension.
On the western side, areas such as Sathyamoorthy Nagar, T.K.P. Nagar, Jayalalitha Nagar, and V.P. Nagar are home to around 30,000 households and several industrial establishments.
There are five bus stops — Mullai Nagar, Murugappa Nagar, Jyothi Nagar, T.K.S. Nagar, and Sathyamoorthy Nagar— located on both sides of the road.
“Passengers getting down at these stops are forced to walk nearly 1.5 km to cross the road due to lack of proper crossings. Although there is a roundabout near the Ernavur flyover, it is only on one side. At Sathyamoorthy Nagar, there is a crossing point without a roundabout. Previously, there was a crossing at Jyothi Nagar, but it has now been replaced with a U-turn board,. Additionally, there are no service roads on either side,” R. Jayaraman, a CPI(M) councillor said.
Numerous accidents
Bagyam, a resident of Shanmugapuram said, passengers getting down at these bus stops are forced to climb over the median to cross the road. Even two-wheeler riders are riding over the median. This has led to numerous accidents and fatalities. “A roundabout and a U-turn facility must be created at the junction where the Jyothi Nagar bus stop meets the State Highway near Sadayankuppam flyover, enabling small vehicles like two-wheelers, auto-rickshaws, and cars to cross safely. The existing one-sided roundabout in Mullai Nagar must be relocated to the centre and redesigned like the Bharat Nagar roundabout to allow crossings,” said K. Venkattaya, another resident.
Service roads
At the bus stops in Sathyamoorthy Nagar, Murugappa Nagar, and T.K.S. Nagar, gaps should be made in the central median with zebra crossings painted on the road to allow pedestrians to cross safely. Service roads must be created on both sides of the Expressway, said Mr. Jayaraman.
The residents held a protest recently urging authorities to set up a new roundabout in Sathyamoorthy Nagar and traffic signals installed at all the three locations.
The residents said the authorities including traffic police have assured they will take necessary steps to create access to both areas on the stretch.
Published – June 14, 2025 12:51 am IST