Basin Bridge junction is now one-way, motorists relieved

CHENNAI: The traffic police seem to have finally found a solution to ease vehicular movement at Basin Bridge junction by making the route one way. After trials proved successful, the system has continued since last week.
Traffic police inspectors and NGOs were asked to conduct a detailed study to resolve the vexed traffic problem in the neighbourhood. They suggested making a portion of the road from police quarters on Wall Tax Road till Basin Bridge Road one-way. Under the system, vehicles coming from Wall Tax Road were not allowed to cross Basin Bridge Road. They would turn left or right at the Moolakothalam Road intersection. Vehicles proceeding towards Vallalar Nagar would have to join those on Basin Bridge Road opposite the corporation lorry depot.
Vehicles from Vallalar Nagar would have to reach Vallalar Nagar bus terminus and take a left towards Padavattamman Koil Street and reach Wall Tax Road through Peddu Street. Vehicles from Tiruvottiyur High Road shall take the road underneath Mint flyover and reach North Wall Road through Padavattamman Koil Street and Peddu Street. Vehicles coming from Wall Tax Road and going to Korukkupet have to take a left to climb the Basin Bridge flyover to reach Basin Bridge railway station and take a ‘U’ turn to again travel to the Moolakothalam Road intersection to proceed towards Korukkupet.
Likewise, vehicles from Basin Bridge proceeding on Wall Tax Road have to go towards Mint clock tower and take a ‘U’ turn under the flyover to travel on North Wall Road and further on Padavattamman Koil Street and Peddu Street to reach Wall Tax Road.
However, the diversions have forced motorists to travel an additional 2km.
Joint commissioner of traffic police, north Chennai, Najmal Hoda said, “We found patients struggled to reach Government Stanley Hospital. On multiple occasions, ‘108’ ambulances were diverted through the wrong route to reach Basin Bridge junction and Vallalar Nagar to reach the GSH.” Many people, who travel to north Chennai, often worry about the narrow roads and congestion. Though the situation is somewhat similar in south Chennai, there may be alternate options. But in the northern parts, this is difficult as many roads are either encroached or narrow.
Prakash Chandmal, a jeweller, said, “This is awesome. I can reach my home at MKB Nagar in less than five minutes from Sowcarpet with the new system.”