Wrong side driving rampant on service lane near TVS Tollgate junction

Wrong-side driving has gotten worse on the service line near TVS Tollgate in Tiruchi. | Photo Credit: M. MOORTHY Rampant wrong side driving on the narrow service lane leading towards Tiruchi-Chennai Bypass Road from TVS Tollgate Bus Stop in the city posed a grave risk to motorists.The problem has turned acute in recent months after the opening of commercial establishments along the service lanes.Already, locals have been complaining of severe traffic congestion at TVS Tollgate Junction, which is busy round the clock as it is located at the intersection of Tiruchi-Pudukottai and Tiruchi-Chennai Bypass Road on Tiruchi-Madurai National Highway. The one-way violation on the service lane has only compounded the problem.The TVS Tollgate Junction bus stop has emerged as a major boarding point for commuters after the Integrated Bus Terminus was opened at Panjapur. A majority of mofussil and omni buses now go via the junction to pick up passengers.This has caused severe congestion in and around the bus stop as buses halt to pick up or drop passengers along the service roads, rather than stopping close to the bus shelter. The rampant one-way violation has now compounded the problem, say motorists.“The service lane leading from TVS Tollgate Bus Stop to the bypass road is not meant to cater to two-way traffic, unlike the service road on the other side of the highway. Yet, several vehicles are heading towards the TVS Tollgate Junction on the wrong side on the narrow service lane. With the gas filling station, a textile showroom and other establishments coming up along the service lane, more and more motorists are driving on the wrong side. There is no effort to regulate traffic by the police on this section,” said R. Gopal, a city resident.Expressing concern over the lack of any traffic regulation on the service lane, H. Ghouse Baig, a civic activist, said: “Wrong side driving poses a grave risk to other motorists on the service lane. At least four-wheelers should not be allowed to go in the wrong direction.”Indiscriminate parking of vehicles in front of commercial establishments, especially tea shops and eateries, along the service lanes was aggravating the situation, according to residents.Several vehicles could be seen parked in the bus bay, in front of hotels, eateries and a private two-wheeler shop situated close by. As buses halt well ahead of the bus shelter, traffic snarls are frequent. Motorists taking a left turn or going straight ahead from Pudukottai Road and those coming in from Mannarpuram side are often caught in traffic snarls.The NHAI concessionaire maintaining the Tiruchi-Padalur NH section has started partially removing the concrete road median in front of the bus stop on the service road leading towards Tiruchi-Chennai Bypass Road. Yet, the problem continues, the residents said. Published - October 29, 2026 05:53 pm IST