Roundabouts, said to be safer than signal-controlled intersections, are throwing up new challenges for the city’s increasing vehicular traffic. A case in point is that of the small roundabout in front of Rajarathinam stadium in Egmore. Motorists and pedestrians want more surveillance at the roundabout to prevent rash driving of vehicles. The intersection connects key stretches like Montieth Road and Rukmani Lakshmipathi Road. It is used by motorists driving from areas like Chetpet, Nungambakkam and T. Nagar to reach the Spencer’s junction at Anna Salai. During the rush hour, the roundabout has double the volume of vehicles crossing the stretch due to the one-way rule at Pantheon Road and Ethiraj Salai intersections. Other factors contributing to the rush at the intersection is the location of many public and private establishments. To name a few, the headquarters of the Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services, the Government Eye Hospital, a marriage hall and the Rajarathinam stadium. Many visiting the second-hand automobile market at Pudupet also use this stretch. “Rash driving is common at the roundabout. Visitors to the nearby park have to be extra-cautious,” said K. Santhosh, a visitor to the park. Poor streetlights, especially in the Montieth Road direction, makes the intersection more vulnerable to accidents. Traffic police personnel are often deployed at the other major intersection on the same road, which is Pantheon Road—Marshalls Road and Police Hospital Road – Pudupet Main Road junction. Also, rash driving and other traffic-related violations are checked only at Pantheon Road — Old Police Commissioner Road junction. Motorists feel similar checks and regulations must be imposed at this small roundtana near the stadium. “Steps will soon be taken to install a traffic signal and deploy a beat police personnel,” police sources said. Experts, however, say roundabouts enable traffic to flow smoothly, but it also depends on how disciplined motorists are in following the correct entry and exit rules.

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