Navigating vehicles without getting hit at the junction connecting Law De Lauriston Street and Gingee Salai near the Manakula Vinayagar Temple is becoming increasingly difficult due to poor visibility of incoming vehicles. 

If the recent accidents that occurred at the junction are any indication, the area is slowly emerging as another blackspot in the town. Huge transformers kept on one side of the Grand Canal at the junction block the view of vehicles while crossing the stretch. Motorists travelling on Law De Lauriston Street are unable to get a clear view of vehicles coming along Gingee Salai while they proceed towards Manakula Vinayagar Temple area and to the Chief Secretariat.

Similarly, motorists coming from the Chief Secretariat side of Law De Lauriston Street towards Ambour Salai find it difficult to cross the junction as vehicles parked on opposite side where transformers are kept obstruct the view of vehicles approaching from S.V Patel Salai side on Gigee Salai.

In the recent times, several accidents have occurred at the junction as drivers while crossing the stretch failed to get a view of the incoming vehicles. Just a few days ago, two youth sustained injuries when the two-wheeler they were riding on got hit by a speeding private bus coming from S. V Patel Salai. The injured are undergoing treatment at the Indira Gandhi Government General Hospital and Research Institute here. 

“Several accidents have occurred at the junction after the transformers were kept on the side of the Grand Canal. Vehicles crossing the junction are at risk of getting hit due to poor visibility. The transformers obstruct a clear view of the Gingee Salai. Moreover, during weekends tourist vehicles are parked haphazardly on the canal. Sometimes even autorickshaws are parked blocking the view of approaching vehicles,” said a taxi driver operating in the area. 

The two-wheeler riders are at huge risk as cars and private buses travel in good speed on Gingee Salai. Moreover, the stretch was frequently used by ambulance drivers to transport patients to the Government Hospital. The fast moving ambulances pose a huge risk to vehicles crossing the junction.  

“The road engineering division should immediately look into the issue as the risk of crossing the road was only increasing due to the heavy inflow of tourist vehicles. Before something major happens, the traffic police should find a solution to the problem faced by motorists,” said an employee of the Chief Secretariat.