Chennai roads see heavy traffic as intense lockdown ends, cops book motorists not wearing masks – Times of India

CHENNAI: As intense lockdown came to end in Chennai, several city roads – including the Anna Salai, the Poonamallee High Road and the Nungambakkam High Road — saw heavy traffic on Monday morning.
As many as 400 signals were operated across the city to streamline traffic. Till Sunday, the signals had been put on blinkers due to the intense lockdown which resulted in less number of vehicles on the roads.
On Monday morning, additional police personnel were deployed in stretches where more number of vehicles were expected.
Barricades that had been placed on flyovers and important roads to restrict movement of vehicles were removed.
Several cars, two-wheelers, autorickshaws were seen on the roads as people started going to their workplaces though normal lockdown is continuing to curb the spread of Covid-19.
Officer-goers used two-wheelers and cabs to reach their offices.
E-passes are not required to ply within the city.
Traffic police personnel were checking if motorists wore masks. They stopped motorists who didn’t wear masks and booked them under Section 179 (Whoever wilfully disobeys any direction lawfully given by any person or authority empowered under this Act (MV Act) to give such direction ) of the Motor Vehicles Act before letting them go.
“We have intensified checks on people who are travelling without masks and helmets. Other offences are also being seriously looked into,” said a traffic police official.
On Sunday, Chennai city police commissioner Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal appealed to the residents not to step out unnecessarily even if the intense lockdown is over.