Chennai: Building prices are skyrocketing and traffic flow is heavy — welcome to Ashok Nagar, once a calm residential neighborhood of South Chennai, but now a congested commercial area.
The conversion of residential plots into commercial shops without adequate parking space has now become a major issue affecting motorists, pedestrians and local residents. Despite metro rail now operating trains, traffic snarls are an issue, admit local police sources.
Ashok Nagar and Ashok Pillar serve as the nerve centre of south Chennai connecting the arterial GST road with Koyambedu, but unwanted barricades, trash cans, encroachments, roadside shops without parking space has made life tough for local residents. Despite several petitions to the authorities, there is no action, rues Mr. S. Ramachandran, a local activist residing in Ashok Nagar. "We residents are not satisfied with the way traffic flow is handled by police," he said adding that the barricades that are kept in the corner of lake view road that adjoins Arya Gowda street is an impediment to traffic flow in the area.
When DC zipped through the roads of Ashok Nagar there were godowns, furniture outlets and restaurants functioning without parking space. Customers park their vehicles on the road and the promotional boards of shops encroach the footpath, further narrowing the congested road.
Anwar Shariff (51), an auto driver for 15 years, said that traffic is heavy on the 100 foot, road especially in the early hours. In the morning, traffic starts at 9.30 am and the intensity continues till 11.00 am. Parking slots are not enough as vehicles are also increasing rapidly.
When contacted a local police official admitted that shops do not have parking space along GST road.
Even big shops and commercial outlets fail to provide parking spaces to their customers. Every shop should have its own parking space and there should also be new ideas on traffic flow as the GST road stretch, particularly near Ashok Pillar, is narrow, carrying far beyond its capacity, the official quipped.
