The street that has a line of shops – from medical stores to petty shops, supermarket and food stalls – is an important link for those proceeding from the main road to Burkit Road or crossing over to the T Nagar Bus Stand. It also has a Tasmac liquor retail outlet. The stretch also joins an array of streets with residential apartments and individual homes.

Sumathi L, a resident of Soundararajan Street that is linked to VN Road on one side and joins Dhandapani Street on the other side, said, “There are a number of residents who have to walk on the street to reach the shops nearby. But you will find us jostling for space with bikes, tempos and carts. There is absolutely no check on speed limits and there is a complete lack of traffic sense among motorists.”

She also pointed out that even though there are two schools on the same road, doesn’t deter people from riding at high speeds. “Isn’t it a school zone? All traffic rules meant for such zones should be followed here, which include no honking and low-speed limits. But you will see none of it being adhered here. Everyone seems to be in a hurry to skip the traffic signal at the end of the street,” she said.

Ramesh TD, another resident, said that with encroachments by motorists’ parking on the roads, the width has narrowed over the years, adding to the traffic mayhem. “With every fruit vendor or flower vendor taking over the footpaths and two-wheelers always parked on the road, there nothing left for pedestrians. There are several senior citizens in the area who want to walk to the nearby parks. But in the evenings, the traffic situation is worse,” he pointed out.

When contacted, a traffic enforcement inspector from Mambalam Police Station said there were regular traffic patrols conducted on the street. “We will ensure there are regular speed checks to deter speed driving on the stretch,” the officer added.