Work on the IT Corridor is on in earnest between Kanchanchavadi and SRP Tools, so traffic heading towards the city is diverted along the Velachery Link Road from LifeLine Hospital. At the end of this road, traffic has to turn right past the American School to rejoin the IT Corridor at SRP Tools. Although there are a number of vehicles which find their way past the road block by driving along the wrong side of the road opposite LifeLine, the bulk of the traffic takes the detour, especially in the evenings.

As I headed home today along the IT Corridor, I decided to turn right at SRP Tools to take the Velachery Link Road as the work on the Corridor makes it unpleasant to drive on. Especially when there is a whole lot of traffic driving in a free for all manner around, through and over rough roads that are not clearly determined. But past the huge RMZ IT complex, near Kanchanchavadi is a cross roads where a road from the IT Corridor cuts across the Link Road into Perungudi’s Northern end.

There was a huge gridlock at this junction with a number of people at odds with the traffic, driving on the wrong side, edging into lines of traffic- the usual. Two old men from the area took it upon themselves to direct the traffic and clear the gridlock. As I waited, based on their request, the traffic began to slowly clear, vehicle by vehicle. But the vehicle behind me, a Tata pick up, kept flashing his head lights and blowing his horn incessantly. Each time he did so, these men would raise their hands for him to stop, while they sorted out the tangle.

Finally this gent got out of his car, walked up to mine and tapped on the window, so I lowered the pane. He demanded that I move forward. I asked him if he couldn’t see the tangle ahead and how it was being sorted out. He said if I wouldn’t move on, edge forward so I can go around you. This was the reason so many cars were grid locked in the first place! I flatly refused and asked him to look at what these men were doing to solve the problem. He gave me a murderous look and stalked back to his vehicle.

And lo and behold, the traffic cleared and I was waved on! I was off like a shot before he could get into his car. If only we could all be a little patient, I suspect the frequent traffic snarls and gridlocks wouldn’t happen in the first place! As for the police, they were nowhere in sight. Thank God for those two gray haired old gentlemen who took it upon themselves to ease the traffic through what seemed an impossible situation. Chennai has its daily heroes in acts such as these!