Subway on Anna Salai stays underutilised

A pedestrian underpass on Anna Salai, near the Tamil Nadu Government Multi Super Speciality Hospital, is often poorly illuminated, forcing many pedestrians to avoid using it after evenfall.

After 9.30 p.m. as the underpass is literally deserted, pedestrians choose to cross the stretch at the intersection of Anna Salai and Deputy Mayor Kabalamurthy Road, Chintadripet. Some climb over the median to cross the road.

“Sometimes, the lights function. And sometimes, they don't,” says S. Sumathi, a pedestrian.

Moreover, the light fittings are damaged. Of the 28 tubelights found at the pedestrian underpass, only ten are in good order.

The same situation prevails at the entry and exit points of the subway.

Only one lamp at the entrance and exit points function and the illumination they provide together is way short of what is required.

S. Poornima, a pedestrian, says, “While youngsters manage to cross the arterial stretch without much difficulty. Women, children and senior citizens cannot do that – they depend on this pedestrian subway.”

The lights need to be repaired at the earliest, and one or more security personnel should be deployed to ensure the safety of pedestrians using the facility. An area near the subway is used as an open urinal, and this has to be stopped, pedestrians say.