Traffic bottlenecks galore as supporters converge on city

A huge crowd flocked to the Nandaman YMCA grounds in the city to take part in the MGR centenary celebration event on Sunday 

The bottlenecks reportedly started from GST Road, Vandalur, and extended almost 25 km to Guindy with vehicle movement badly hit from the morning. The vehicles queued up for a few kilometres on the GST Road and it took at least two hours for the traffic to become normal.

However, traffic snarls persisted on Anna Salai as AIADMK supporters tried to enter the YMCA ground. Areas like T Nagar, which are usually crowded, were jammed with vehicles diverted from Anna Salai to reach Saidapet. 

Even Kamaraj Salai near the Marina witnessed heavy traffic with vehicles stopped near Foreshore Estate. Those vehicles that tried to avoid Anna Salai were stuck on Kamaraj Salai making it difficult for Marina visitors.

Parking lots were made available for the MGR Centenary celebrations at five places, including the Marina, Saidapet and Island Grounds. Later, people were instructed to walk to the venue from the parking area. Walking lanes with barricades were set up by the police to prevent supporters from walking on the road and to avoid traffic problems.

According to police sources, 11,000 policemen were deployed for security purposes and to regulate traffic for the centenary function.