British musical sensation Ed Sheeran has kicked off his much-anticipated six-city India tour, with his first concert stop taking place tonight at the YMCA Grounds, Nandanam, Chennai. Following the success of Coldplay’s recent performances, expectations are sky-high for Sheeran’s show, especially considering the excitement surrounding his collaboration with renowned Indian composer AR Rahman prior to the event.
The concert at YMCA Grounds is set to begin at 6 PM, but the Chennai Traffic Police have already warned of major traffic disruptions anticipated from around 3 PM onward. The police have issued detailed traffic advisories to help manage the expected large crowd attending the concert, striving to keep the flow of traffic smooth amid the throng of music fans.
Concert attendees arriving by auto-rickshaws and cabs (yellow plate vehicles) are advised to use specific routes to avoid congestion. According to the Greater Chennai Traffic Police, customers should access the venue via Cenotaph Road, Gandhi Mandapam Road, Chamiers Road, and Lotus Colony 2nd Street to reach the drop-off point. This strategic routing aims to ease the entry for concert-goers and prevent bottlenecks near the venue.
Those traveling from the Saidapet side can take Nandanam Junction and make the necessary U-turn from Chamiers Road to get to Lotus Colony. It's important to note, though, the main entrance of YMCA will only be accessible to VVIP pass holders and artists' vehicles, with another entry point—the Cosmopolitan gate on Anna Salai—reserved for the same categories.
Attendees are highly encouraged to utilize public transportation to minimize traffic density. With metro rail, MTC buses, and MRTS trains providing access to the concert venue, attendees are reminded of the convenience these options can offer. Following this advice could ease parking pressures and overall traffic flow around the area.
Tickets for Ed Sheeran’s tour are now available through BookMyShow, with prices starting at INR 4,500 for Chennai and progressing higher based on seating selections and availability. The potential rush to secure tickets suggests prices might vary significantly, culminating up to INR 28,000 for premium seating. There is also good news for HSBC credit and debit cardholders, who can enjoy a 10% discount applicable on select tickets during the pre-sale period—limited to six tickets per user.
Sheeran, who began his Indian tour with a stunning performance in Pune just last week, is slated to continue his musical adventure across Bengaluru, Shillong, and Delhi-NCR. Notably, during his visit to Chennai, he has already made headlines meeting with AR Rahman and his son, AR Ameen, igniting excitement among fans of both artists.
With the concert expected to draw thousands of enthusiastic fans tonight, it’s clear Ed Sheeran's presence has evoked great anticipation throughout Chennai. Authorities are working diligently to manage the influx of concertgoers and streamline traffic flow, ensuring as many fans as possible can safely enjoy the unforgettable experience.