The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Protests throw traffic out of gear

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Sep 22, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Protests throw traffic out of gear

City Bureau

Many were put to hardship by the recent demonstrations on Anna Salai Buses diverted, office-goers badly hit by Wednesday's demonstration on Anna Salai

CHAOS ON ROAD: Traffic seen at a standstill near Anna Statue on Anna Salai on Wednesday (left), while a protestor tries to get into a bus carrying away those detained by the police. — Photo: S. R. Raghunathan

CHENNAI: Wednesday's demonstration and road rokos by leaders of the Tamil Protection Movement threw traffic out of gear on Anna Salai.

J. Radha said she was stranded for 45 minutes on Anna Salai. "I had to reach Anna Statue on Mount Road from Spencer Plaza. I was late for work," she said.

K. Raghavan said he was delayed because the MTC bus (route no: 21, MNH840) driver decided not to touch Anna Salai. "I got into the bus from High Court. Even before starting the journey, the driver announced that it would not go to Mount Road or Royapettah but only to Luz and Mylapore." While other buses took Wallajah Road to reach Anna Salai, the bus Mr. Raghavan was travelling in went along Kamarajar Salai after coming from Flagstaff Road.

MTC officials said none of the services were affected. "Some services were diverted only when the demonstrators blocked Anna Salai," said an official.

A few days ago, several motorists were stranded on Anna Salai after a political party took out a rally demanding the implementation of the Women's Reservation Bill.

One side of Anna Salai from Munroe Statue, and Wallajah Road till State Guest house was closed. This led to the diversion of a number of vehicles on the other side of Anna Salai. Some bus drivers asked passengers to alight on Anna Salai as the bus would not go to Anna Square.

Government undertaking

In 2002, responding to a petition filed by the Tindivanam Merchants Association, the Tamil Nadu Government had given an undertaking in the Supreme Court that it would not allow any rallies or meetings in public places causing inconvenience to people.

But the undertaking and the subsequent order of the Supreme Court were not enforced on a uniform basis, said senior advocate K. Chandru. In many cases, the Government allowed rallies along main roads while in other cases the Supreme Court order was selectively invoked so as to prevent public meetings and rallies, he said.

Courts had been moved on many an occasion, he said, adding that at times due to judicial intervention many got permission to hold meetings and rallies without affecting the public. Courts had also declined to interfere with Government orders on the ground that permission had been denied for specific reasons, he said.

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