Are the FOBs at OMR in Chennai really serving the purpose for which they have been built?
Posted on: 12/Jul/2023 9:19:03 AM
Would you believe the fact that the IT corridor along OMR in Chennai has recorded the most number of pedestrian deaths in the last 5 years? Yes, shocking and true!!
In Chennai, OMR has got the maximum number of foot over bridges or FOBs. The pedestrians at OMR or Old Mahabalipuram Road are not at all happy regarding the seven FOBs present there. The reason for that is because these FOB`s are rusty and in need of maintenance work. The FOB`s do not have roofs and escalators etc also.
It is true that these 7 FOBs are raking money for the TN govt but have failed to impress the pedestrians. Out of the seven, the FOB that connects Thiruvanmiyur MRTS with Ramanujam Tech Park is in better condition.
It was revealed by a regular user of FOB in Indira Nagar that in the summers it was too hot to climb the bridge without a roof. As per a resident activist from Semmencherry it was clear that the FOBs were not preferred by many senior citizens or elder persons. This was due to the absence of lifts and due to the absence of overhead covers.
The below par FOBs have made many senior citizens to use meridian crossing and this has led to many accidents also. Many youngsters jump the meridian present in the centre of the road and risk their lives.
The shocking piece of information is that between 2017 and 2022 the IT corridor has recorded the most number of pedestrian accidents. This was according to a study.
