more-in Madurai City Traffic police have proposed to divert city buses through the new M.G. Ramachandran (MGR) bridge across the Vaigai connecting Tirumalairayar Padithurai with Sellur. The move comes more than one year after the bridge was thrown open for public use. The bridge remained under-utilised as only two-wheelers, autorickshaws and cycle-rickshaws used it. Even movement of cars was very occasional. “We have forwarded the proposal to Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation and Madurai Corporation. Both have agreed to the plan as it will make better use of the bridge and also decongest traffic at Yanaikkal and Kalpalam bridge,” Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Arun Balagopalan said. As per the plan, the TNSTC buses, after making halt at Simmakkal bus stop, will take a left turn on Tirumalairayar Padithurai Road and take the MGR bridge before reaching Sellur. Consequently, the piling up of vehicles at the Chockanathar Temple road signal on North Veli Street (Simmakkal) will be eased. This is because after making halts at the bus stop, the buses line up at this signal which is hardly 50 metres away. “If these buses are diverted, piling up of vehicles will be avoided. Similarly, congestion at Yanaikkal junction and Kalpalam bridge will be reduced considerably. Even other vehicles that want to go to Sellur can use the bridge,” Mr. Balagopalan said. The TNSTC officials have agreed to the plan as the buses were not missing any bus stops and also there was no additional burden on fuel. “In fact, after the Simmakkal bus stop, the buses have to stop only at Goripalayam. The new route will even help the buses to provide an additional stop at Sellur for the people of the area,” the official said. The TNSTC officials felt that a public toilet constructed at Tirumalairayar Padithurai posed hindrance for buses to make left turn from the North Veli Street. The Corporation has agreed to make changes on this aspect. The proposal, if implemented, will put the new bridge to good use.

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