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Transformed for Chess Olympiad, Napier Bridge in Chennai is now a headache for some. Literally!

The chequered makeover of the Napier Bridge for the Chess Olympiad is inconveniencing motorists, as well as leading to crowding.

Umar Sharieef

Published Jul 27, 2022 | 3:49 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 16, 2022 | 12:04 PM

A view of the Napier bridge in Chennai decked up like a chessboard.

The Napier Bridge in Chennai, decked up like a chessboard. (Supplied)

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When the Tamil Nadu government gave the Napier Bridge bridge in Chennai a chessboard makeover to celebrate the 44th Chess Olympiad that takes place in Mamallapuram near the state capital on 28 July, it might not have anticipated that the action would become a literal headache for commuters.

Motorists say accidents are likely due to the makeover of the bridge. They say they have to be extra careful to ensure that no accident happens on the bridge as its new decoration causes them dizziness and divergence.

Experts concurred. They say the sudden makeover may not go well with those who experience dizziness while driving. People who feel a spinning sensation are likely to be the most affected, the experts told South First.

 

 

People even spoke out on Twitter!

Firsthand experience

Praveen Kumar from Parrys Corner in Chennai told South First that the chequered painting of the road confuses him and other motorists and may result in accidents.

“Being a resident of Parrys Corner, I always take the Napier-Bridge route to reach my workplace in Guindy,” he said, adding that the chessboard layout on the bridge causes him visual discomfort.

“Painting the bridge wall and walkway is fine, but painting the road is foolishness. It may be a short distance, but accidents can happen in seconds. I’m sure the government consulted no safety expert,” said Kumar.

Others, like this Twitter user, called it an “optical illusion”.

Unintended consequences

Since the makeover, people have been gathering at the bridge to enjoy the view, and locals say many of them are violating traffic rules. In one case, an unidentified person was even about to be hit by moving vehicles as he tried to click some good photographs.

Two-wheelers parked by people on the bridge to enjoy the view disturb the vehicle movements.

South First learnt that many people who parked their vehicles to take photographs violated traffic rules.

Even Twitter users noted this:

Fayaz, an auto driver, told South First that the crowd was causing traffic snarls on Napier Bridge, and that it affected motorists.

“I take people on trips from Parrys Corner to Marina Beach daily. The Napier Bridge route is the easiest and fastest way to reach the destination. But the traffic snarls here these days as people keep visiting the bridge to enjoy the view are piling up,” he said.

One user on Twitter concurred.

https://twitter.com/SanaaSpeaks/status/1551526640555282434

“The pattern art on the road shows the government’s negligence in ensuring the public’s safety. There are ways to promote chess, but painting the daily commute road in such patterns only worsens the condition for motorists,” a traffic police official in Chennai told South First on condition of anonymity.

Police give assurances

Officers from the Marina Police Station officers told South First that they had deputed personnel to ensure traffic flow and safety of public gatherings at the Napier Bridge. However, South First did not find any police staff on the spot.

A traffic police officer told South First that they would place barricades to avoid any road mishaps.

However, no barricades were to be seen a few meters ahead of the bridge to avoid accidents due to speeding.

Youngsters have been known to speed on this stretch for its smooth condition.

44th Chess Olympiad

India is hosting the Chess Olympiad for the first time in 100 years.

The venue for the tournament was primarily Russia.

However, it was changed due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Chief Minister MK Stalin tweeted welcoming the people to Tamil Nadu for the 44th Chess Olympiad.

Retweeting a tweet of an actor Rajinikanth, a teaser for the Chess Olympiad with the scenes showing cultural and traditional aspects of Chennai, MK Stalin said, “Welcome to Namma Ooru Chennai”.

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