Chennai: In an effort to reduce vehicle congestion along Jalan Mahabalipuram Lama (OMR), the traffic police have made several diversions at Sholinganlatur Junction.
The vehicle traveling from Medavakkam to the East Coast Road (ECR) can travel directly after crossing the Sholinganlatur traffic signal.
They can also turn right to reach Navalur.
They don’t need to turn left at Sholinganallur to make u-turn OMR service to reach ECR or Navalur.
Also, those who returned to Chennai from Mamallapuram or Puducherry through the ECR did not need to turn left at the Sholinganlatur Junction to make a U-turn near the Aavin traffic signal.
They can only wait for the Sholinganallur signal to be green and turn right to go to the thoraipakkam.
Other people can travel directly to Medavakkam.
Only those traveling from Navalur to ECR will take a little detour.
So far, they can turn right at the Sholinganlatur intersection.
Now, they have to take it to be compulsory there, take turn back (just before the Medavakkam toll road plaza) to reach the ECR.
Traffic police release said the transfer followed drastic changes in the traffic pattern along OMR as soon as the user cost collection was canceled at four toll plazas on the stretch.
The police conducted a survey of volumes during rush hour and finding traffic transfer can help alleviate the flow of vehicles.
Harsha Koda from the Federation of the OMR Resident Association (FOMRA) said that by asking for an ECR-bound vehicle (from Navalur) to take U-turn near the Medavakkam Toll Plaza will be difficult because the part of the road has not widened due to encroachment.
“We are not consulted before making this change,” he said.
The Suresh Menon Urban Traffic Planner said that they had returned to previous traffic arrangements in place two years ago.
“Instead of waiting for two signals, the vehicle will now wait for four signals.
So, this won’t solve the problem,” he said.