Traffic diversion causes chaos in Vellore; public irked

VELLORE: It was total chaos at the Green Circle, which is an intersection of 4 service lanes due to poor planning and execution of traffic diversion planned at the arterial point in Vellore town.

What added to the problem was the sudden introduction of the diversion plan, which was originally scheduled on Sunday, on Saturday.

As per the arrangement finalised by officials after inspecting the Green Circle point, vehicles from Vellore bound for Katpadi should turn left at the National Theatre junction and enter the NH service road, take U turn at the private petrol outlet and go under the NH bridge to reach the new bus stand and proceed to Katpadi.

After distrcit collector Kumaravel Pandian inspecting the green circle which sees a confluence of 4 service lanes in addition to roads from the national theatre and Katpadi ends announced that from Sunday.

Motorists from Chennai should take the service lane after Green Circle, go under the NH bridge after a taking U-turn near the private fuel outlet and proceed to Katpadi.

Those from Katpadi bound for Chennai can proceed on the normal route till the new bus stand and from there they must take the service road to enter the Chennai NH.

However, the introduction of the new traffic plan from Saturday caught vehicle users unawares resulting in heavy traffic jam on Katpadi road. Traffic policemen at the National Theatre junction had a tough time throughout the day on Saturday, regulating traffic at the point and guiding motorists.

On Monday, vehicles that tried to enter the service lane at the Chennai silks junction were directed by police to take the next service lane.

This irked the motorist, who resorted to a dharna at the spot.

On information, Superintendent of Police S Rajesh Kannan rushed to the spot and pacified the protesters.

“All this could have been avoided if only officials had informed the public in detail about the new traffic arrangement a week in advance and had stuck to the originally announced date” an official seeking anonymity said.