Chaos on roads as cadre throng city

Traffic was thrown out of gear several hours before the function, as cadre travelling by buses, cars and lorries from various parts of the state thronged the city. Eyewitnesses complained about the inefficacy of the traffic police in diverting traffic in advance, knowing the inflow of cadre. 

Main roads including Santhome High Road, Kamarajar Salai, Radhakrishnan Salai, Wallajah Road, TTK Road, Nungambakkam High Road, Anna Salai, Royapettah High Road, GN Chetty Road and Poonamallee High Road as well as arterial roads witnessed a breakdown of traffic as vehicles piled up in the hours preceding the swearing-in function. 

A senior police official said, “Due to the huge inflow of party cadre from different districts of the state, the roads were blocked. We had no alternative plan to limit the movement of these vehicles into the city. So we had to allow them. Also, many policemen were deployed at the venue of the function, to handle VVIP movement.”

Vehicles on RK Salai, Beach Road, Royapettah and Gandhi Mandapam Road came to a complete halt by 10.30 am itself. Why do we have to suffer for hours for a 15-minute long function — Naseer Basha, a taxi driver 

I saw motorists, especially auto drivers get out of their vehicles and manage the traffic at Gemini flyover. Few cops were seen near the bridge and good Samaritans restored sanity on the roads — Priyanka D, Student

Traffic had stalled from MRC Nagar till Madras University. Large buses and minivans had been parked right alongside the Beach Road. Cadre were seen walking in groups and blocking traffic — Benjamin B, Professional