Each passing train brings N Chennai traffic to halt | Chennai News – Times of India

Chennai: At North Chennai’s Tondiarpet, Ennore High Road is a critical artery connecting workers, small businesses, and service providers from densely populated neighbourhoods to industrial clusters at Manali, Ennore, and Minjur. However, this vital corridor is choked multiple times a day due to the closure of a railway gate near the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) terminal.The issue is decades old but has become urgent as the city’s northern belt sees a steady rise in commercial and residential activity. “The gate is shut multiple times a day to allow oil tank trains to pass, each time halting traffic for 30 to 45 minutes. In the absence of a digital schedule, commuters, ambulances, school vans, and delivery trucks are all forced to wait, often several times a day,” said S Palraj, who runs a tea shop in the locality.Residents said that, on average, each train has at least 20 containers, and they move very slowly along the stretch as it enters the IOC terminal. “We can go through Tondiarpet Main Road and TH Road, but it is longer. Hence, most people choose this IOCL route,” said L M Jai Ganesh, a civic activist.R. Boopalan, a resident of Tondiarpet, said it’s about time the govt speeded up the work on the rail overbridge on the road. “Multiple times the gate is closed to allow the passing of empty containers and filled containers. This road connects Manali, Tiruvottiyur, Ennore, and other localities. The govt should fast-track the ROB work,” he added.Nethaji U Ganesan, councillor of ward 38, Tondiarpet, said that the issue will be solved once the IOC shifts to Vallur. “We will then close the crossing and construct the ROB,” he said.Meanwhile, an IOC official said that it was initially a private road and turned into a public road over a period of time. “Shifting to Vallur will be completed within this year,” he said.