Commuters have voiced their concern over insufficient traffic regulations near the Women and Child Hospital at Ellaipillaichavady in Puducherry.

The absence of a traffic signal and irregular posting of police personnel to streamline movement of vehicles at the junction in front of the hospital have become a cause for concern for motorists.

The junction has become more congested these days after many motorists coming from the town have started avoiding Rajiv Gandhi and Indira Gandhi signals to reach Vazhudhavur and Villupuram roads. Motorists now prefer travelling through residential areas of Sathya Nagar, Anna Nagar and Saradambal Nagar areas to reach the junction at Women and Child Hospital before moving towards Villupuram and Vazhudhavur roads. 

“Many road users have started taking the residential areas in and around the Women and Child Hospital to commute to the town, and Villupuram and Vazhudhavur roads. Motorists must cross the busy junction to travel through the residential areas for reaching the town, Villupuram and Vazhudhavur roads,” Ramalingam, a resident of Thirumal Nagar said.

The stretch was already one of the busiest after the construction of the hospital and two private schools besides being the main road connecting the East Coast Road to Cuddalore and Villupuram, he added.

According to Kumarakrishnan, a resident of Anna Nagar, on certain days there would be no police personnel to regulate the traffic. “In the absence of police personnel, there will be utter chaos at the junction. The area will get choked with vehicles as crossing the junction becomes difficult with no policemen to regulate vehicular movement. Parking of vehicles near the Saradambal temple on most occasions adds to the traffic problem. Regular posting of police personnel alone could reduce the problems faced by commuters,” he added. 

According to a police officer, the department has already started works to improve the situation at the junction by providing an automatic signal and a traffic island. The automatic signal system has already been installed and it would soon be made functional. 

Another official said much of the traffic problem in the area would be solved once the project to construct a grade separator connecting Rajiv Gandhi and Indira Gandhi squares materialises. “The project once completed will ease traffic congestion on the entire stretch. Police personnel are deployed at Ellaipillaichavady on a regular basis,” the officer said