Jaywalking surge on Rajiv Gandhi Salai poses hit-and-run risk after dark

Motorists flag rising jaywalking hazard on key stretches of Rajiv Gandhi Salai

Drivers navigating Rajiv Gandhi Salai have raised concerns about pedestrians crossing the road illegally across multiple high-traffic zones, with the problem becoming acute after dark.

The complaint covers stretches in Thoraipakkam, Sholinganallur and Navalur, where motorists say poor visibility at night compounds the danger. G. Gurumurthy of Thoraipakkam warned that inattentive driving at Kottivakkam could lead to hit-and-run incidents becoming routine after sunset. "At Kottivakkam, if one is not careful, hit and run cases could almost become the norm at night," he said.

Lighting upgrades fall short

While lighting was improved recently, residents say the changes have made little difference. Harsha Koda, co-founder of the Federation of OMR Residents Welfare Associations, pointed out that the Tamil Nadu Road Development Company has not kept its commitment to install adequate lighting on sections handed over by Chennai Metro Rail.

Lamp posts remain absent along much of the corridor, and lights mounted on CMRL structures do not provide enough illumination for safe driving.

Infrastructure gaps force risky crossings

Koda also flagged design flaws that encourage dangerous pedestrian behaviour. "The height of the median in many places is not as tall as it should be," he said, adding that the absence of zebra crossings and foot overbridges at critical locations leaves the public with no choice but to climb over medians.

Sridevi Kothandapani of Thazhambur described how movable blue-grey steel shutters along the median are being displaced by pedestrians seeking to cross. She recounted a recent incident in which she fell onto the road at night when a shutter she was holding shifted under her weight. "Luckily for me, there was no vehicle on the road at that time," she said.

Source: The Hindu