Amit Shah steps out of airport, brings life to halt

Amit Shah steps out of airport, brings life to halt

Long Traffic Snarls Choke GST Road

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:22.11.2020 

Traffic on Grand South Trunk (GST) Road outside Chennai airport was thrown out of gear on Saturday afternoon after Union home minister Amit Shah arrived on a two-day visit.

Shah, who is set to inaugurate state and central government-funded projects during his visit, landed at the old terminal around 1.50 pm. He was welcomed by chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, his deputy O Panneerselvam and other ministers, apart from BJP state president L Murugan and other party functionaries.

As Shah’s car began to move out, BJP workers along the entire length of the exit route began waving party flags and placards. The home minister then got out and walked for about 100 metres, acknowledging the cheers.

By the time Shah got back into his car and left the airport it was 2.10pm. Police stopped traffic near Pallavaram and vehicles proceeding towards Alandur were diverted on different routes.

Traffic on the busy stretch was affected for nearly two hours later, with stranded vehicles stretching for a long distance on both sides of the road.

The traffic police, however, said they did not stop the movement of vehicles on the stretch from Alandur to Tambaram. “However, vehicles were stopped as the ‘U’ turn spot on the road and vehicles piled up opposite Officers Training Academy (OTA) and near Trident Hotel on GST Road,” said an officer.

AFTER-EFFECT: Union home minister Amit Shah waves at supporters outside the airport on Saturday. (Right) Heavy traffic on GST Road near airport following the visit