A huge LED display installed recently at the Southern Railway’s Tirusulam ticket counter complex is posing a risk to motorists travelling on the GST Road from Meenambakkam towards Tambaram. The display is the latest addition to a series of problems, including vehicles moving in the wrong direction, haphazard parking, and jaywalking, that commuters encounter along the busy stretch.

Facing north, the LED screen is located just below the flyover and after the Meenambakkam grounds. Motorists say the sharp brightness from the large screen can distract them, particularly while approaching the signal.

According to Jayaram, a street vendor in the vicinity, a woman and her child fell from their vehicle recently after being distracted by the LED display. “Fortunately, they escaped with minor injuries,” he said.

Motorists suggested the brightness of the display be reduced or it be replaced with a conventional hoarding.

Another LED display, located about 100 metres away towards the south, was comparatively less of a concern for motorists.

When contacted, Southern Railway officials said the hoarding had been approved as per norms. However, taking public safety into consideration, the brightness of the LED screen would be reduced.

Traffic police personal assured to coordinate with the Railways to ensure road safety.

Abrupt turns and jaywalking

The problems become more pronounced near the Pallavaram flyover, close to Air Force Police headquarters, where heavy vehicles frequently take a sudden right turn to access the flyover.

“Some drivers hesitate and suddenly swerve while trying to take the direction they want to go,” said N. Ganesh, who travels daily between Chromepet and Meenambakkam.

Jaywalking is another concern. Several people coming from the eastern side cross the GST Road to reach the Tirusulum Metro Railway station despite the presence of a subway. Metro Rail commuters said the subway involved a considerable detour. “A skywalk or escalator-friendly connectivity from Tirusulam Railway Station to the Metro station will be of great help,” said Derek, a regular commuter.

‘Free-for-all’ at junction

About 100 metres further south, the GST Road-Acharya Thulsi Road (Pallavaram Market Road) junction has a signal that motorists say is of little use during peak hours. “It becomes a free-for-all during peak hours, with U-turns and vehicles reversing and cutting across the intersection,” said Xavier, an automobile trader in the vicinity.

Further south, motorists face severe bottlenecks and a narrow stretch of road after crossing the flyover. Though the Highways Department has been working on widening the road by removing encroachments along the stretch from the Pallavaram-Thoraipakkam Radial Road flyover towards Pallavaram, activists want the work to be expedited in view of the steady increase in traffic. The congestion at the junctions near Saravana Stores, Chromepet Railway Station and Tambaram Sanatorium adds to motorists’ difficulties.

“By the time I reach the Tambaram bus stand, which is a hell for commuters, I feel exhausted for the day,” said Selvam, a daily-wage worker from Irumbuliyur.

Activists and motorists have called for better coordination among the Highways Department, Southern Railway, and Tambaram Corporation to address the recurring problems along the stretch.

As a long-term measure, activists have suggested constructing an elevated corridor towards Chengalpattu via Kilambakkam.