Residents want to demolish medians

CHENNAI: The two medians that have come up on Third Avenue Road have virtually divided Anna Nagar East and West, hindering easy access for people who wish to cross from one part to the other. Residents have started petitioning authorities at all levels demanding that the medians, constructed less than a year ago, be demolished.Anna Nagar West, a prime residential locality, consists of about 5,000 residents, apart from housing three reputed schools. Its residents until recently had the option of moving to the eastern side through two U-turns situated on the Fourth Main Road and Sixth Avenue Road, slicing the Third Avenue Road. However, Chennai Corporation blocked the U-turns by constructing concrete medians, following a request from the traffic police in the light of frequent accidents.“This is causing serious troubles for us,” said TK Pandian, a resident of Anna Nagar West. “Motorists proceeding for Chinthamani from Tirumangalam would avoid five signals on the Second Main Road by entering into the interior streets of Anna Nagar West and thereafter, drive straight to Chinthamani by crossing the U turn. But, the medians have increased the travel time to 20 minutes to reach Chithamani from the Third Main Road, while it earlier used to be just two minutes,” he said.The schools are also finding things tough as the blocking of U-turn has increased traffic near the K4 police station signal, leading to frequent accidents. Hundreds of children cross the road from Anna Nagar East to reach their schools situated in the western side.In petitions submitted to the traffic police, the local sought an automatic signal instead of completely closing the U-turns. “A traffic policeman can even man the signals,” a local suggested.