[1]Motorists and drivers using the arterial state highways in Chennai and a few other places are confused by the misleading milestones and signs that show incorrect distances to the major towns ahead.
It is common for two signs, within a gap of a few metres, to show different distances to the same destination. The irony is that the Transport department calculates the “stage” for collecting bus fares on the basis of these milestones.
“When I was going to Tiruvallur on my two-wheeler, the signs on the roads were confusing. The signs and milestone at few places along the Tiruvallur – Poonamallee high road, which comes under the state Highways department, showed incorrect distances which would mislead motorists,” said software engineer and RTI activist Mr Senthil Kumar from Iyappanthangal.
He pointed out that a milestone near Tirumazhisai bus stand stated that the nearby Tiruvallur town was 21 km away while another sign just two metres ahead stated that the town was 18 km away. “This could misguide strangers using the road for the first time,” he added.
This is not an isolated case. When one travels from Porur towards Guindy, a sign near Kathipara junction states “Chennai 11 km”. After another km, a sign near Guindy telephone exchange reads “Parry’s 12 km”. Sign boards at several places on state highway roads are also incorrect.
A milestone at Virugambakkam shows “Kodambakkam 7 km” instead of the actual 4 km, said Mr Senthil Kumar who has compiled a list of over 50 erroneous milestones near Chennai.
Links:
[1] http://archive.asianage.com/milejpgcropdisplayjpg-217