Vehicles returning after Pongal celebrations clog GST Road

The Grand Southern Trunk (GST) Road was blocked on Sunday as thousands of vehicles, especially two-wheelers and automobiles, returned to the city after Pongal celebrations. The rush started in the morning hours and there was traffic congestion at many places including Singaperumal Koil, Madurantakam and Tambaram.

Parasuraman, a resident of Ponvilaindakalathur, said that they avoid going to GST Road even for shopping during Pongal. “We live 3 km away from Chengalpattu town, our shopping hub. But the traffic on the national highway made us think twice,” he said.

The inner roads of Chengalpattu town were unusually busy on Sunday afternoon. “People who knew the route to Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) and East Coast Road (ECR) via Chengalpattu town and Thiruporur used internal roads. Those who did not know were stuck in traffic on GST Road. Motorists who wanted to go from Chengalpattu-Thiruporur Road to GST Road had to wait until the traffic eased. Traffic will only get worse at night and more people will return to rejoin work on Monday.” said James, a resident of Chengalpattu.

Officials working at toll plazas in Paranur, Athur and Vikravandi looked exhausted due to higher than normal workload. A source at Athur plaza said, “Traffic is quite heavy at Athur. Long waiting times at plazas are not due to lack of FAStags but due to the large number of vehicles passing by. Two-wheelers are being dispatched from corner lanes to keep others open for buses and private vehicles.”

Murugesan, who was using GST Road from Chennai on Sunday evening, said traffic was heavy and moving slowly. “Although I can see the Vikravandi toll booth from here, it will take me at least another 30 minutes to reach there. I switch between first and second gear, which makes the experience of going home very tiring.”

Two-wheeled bike drivers were seen waiting along the road, taking breaks before continuing the tiring journey. A retired Highways engineer said it would be good if the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) opened more rest areas for families to take a break. “A few concrete benches and a clean water source would be refreshing. People can be seen leaning on the barriers instead,” he added.