Illegal U-turns Increase Risk on Chennai’s 2nd Deadliest Highway
The Chennai Bypass Road, one of the city's major thoroughfares, has become increasingly dangerous due to the presence of illegal U-turns created by miscreants damaging the median. This 32-kilometer access-controlled toll road, connecting Tambaram with Puzhal via Porur, is notorious for accidents, with over 140 incidents reported annually.
Local vehicles, particularly trucks and minivans, frequently exploit these breaches in the median to make illegal U-turns, seeking shortcuts to their destinations. These vehicles are often seen parked along the sides of the bypass, unloading or loading goods for nearby godowns, business units, and small-scale factories. Alarmingly, some of these U-turns are situated near blind or sharp curves, increasing the risk of sudden and severe accidents.
Speeding vehicles on the bypass, not anticipating such unexpected turns, may find it difficult to brake in time when encountering a truck or auto making an illegal U-turn. This hazard is compounded by the road's lack of official entry and exit points, making it one of Chennai's most dangerous roads.
Officials from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) have acknowledged the issue and assured the public that they will take immediate action to close these illegal U-turns.
Apart from heavy vehicles, local two-wheelers and cars have also begun to drive on the wrong side of the road, using these illegal U-turns to bypass congested and poorly maintained interior roads. Residents from areas such as Anakaputhur, Thiruneermalai, and Thandalam now frequently engage in this dangerous practice to reach destinations like Tambaram and Porur more quickly.
S Nagarajan, a taxi driver from Nerkundram, highlighted the frustrations of regular commuters. "We pay a toll fee of ₹55 for uninterrupted travel at speeds of 80-100 km/h. These illegal U-turns defeat that purpose," he said. Nagarajan also pointed out that the stretch between Maduravoyal and Porur is already congested in the evenings due to private buses blocking the road to pick up passengers. The addition of illegal U-turns only exacerbates the problem. He suggested that the government suspend toll collection until these issues are resolved.
The service roads, which are meant to connect neighborhoods on either side of the bypass with the main carriageway, are poorly maintained and have become accident hotspots themselves. Wrongside and rash driving are rampant, further compounding road safety issues.
The illegal U-turns on the Chennai Bypass Road represent a significant safety risk, not only undermining the benefits of a toll road but also endangering the lives of all road users. Immediate action by authorities to repair the median and enforce traffic regulations is essential to prevent further accidents and ensure safer travel on this critical highway.
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