Chennai: Around a year ago, a diversion was introduced on Anna Salai at the SIET College junction in Teynampet — towards Cenotaph Road for the construction of the Saidapet-Teynampet elevated corridor. All vehicles coming from Thousand Lights had to take a diversion of more than 1 km to rejoin Anna Salai, or to travel back towards Thousand Lights.Traffic police introduced multiple signage – ‘Compulsory Left’, ‘Road Diversion Ahead’, and ‘Keep Left on Cenotaph Road’ — at the junction. A month ago, a U-turn towards Thousand Lights was introduced at the junction, with an inconspicuous sign saying ‘Take U-turn ’. However, the ‘Compulsory Left’ signage remains, confusing motorists at the busy junction, who can be seen slowing down and wondering which sign they should follow.“I had no idea they had introduced a U-turn here, and I saw the sign only by accident. It’s difficult to take a sudden turn to the right when you are in the middle of traffic,” says Dinesh E, an Uber driver. V Sujatha, a resident of Seethammal Extension First Main Road, a street opposite SIET College, says she too couldn’t figure out the U-turn for a few weeks. “Already, there are all kinds of construction work and diversions all through Anna Salai. It would be helpful if signage were updated promptly,” she says.Head constable Ramakrishnan, Teynampet E3 police station, said the diversion signs towards Cenotaph Road will remain at the junction, but the ‘Compulsory Left’ sign will be removed at the earliest.
