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Not allowed, but U-turn for all on Duraiswamy Road

CHENNAI: Motorists taking a U-turn on Duraiswamy Road are at risk for they run into traffic coming from the opposite direction and also from a lane that joins the road. Besdies the risk of an accident, the manoeuvre leads to congestion.

The traffic police has directed motorists to take a U-turn on the bridge over Duraiswamy subway, a few metres down Rameswaram Street, but people do not use that.



“That path is too narrow and it is not possible for vehicles to pass through it. Also the bridge was recently repaired after a part of it collapsed a few months ago. We don’t think it can hold so much weight,” said K Parthipan, a taxi driver.

Every time a motorist tries to take a U-turn on the road, it comes close to colliding with a vehicle coming either from the other side and those coming from the lane adjoining a restaurant. Traffic policemen said that at least five vehicles got damaged in the past one week after they tried to take a U-turn.

“Yesterday, a truck was trying to take a U turn here. Meanwhile, a minivan was trying to pass through the other side and it collided with the truck. Nobody was hurt but there was a jam for nearly 20 minutes,” said the traffic policeman.

To avoid such incidents, the traffic police had placed a ‘No U-Turn’ board on the median four months ago. But officers said it was taken down by miscreants. “Motorists want to take a turn here because it’s easier,” the policeman said.

“Duraiswamy Road is a no U-turn zone and nobody should be allowed to take a turn here,” said B Kannan, secretary of T Nagar Residents’ Welfare Association. He said only trucks and mini vans that supply goods to the big retail stores on the road use the turn. “No other motorist needs to use that turn. There are adjoining lanes that will take them to their destination. They are allowing U-turn only because these big stores insist and other vehicles are simply following.”

V Amutha, a resident of Thanjavur Road, said a traffic policeman must be deployed to monitor the road. “Until a year ago, a policeman used to be stationed here and would fine violators. Today there is hardly anybody. That turn must be closed only then motorists can travel safely,” she said.

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