The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Reader's Mail

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Monday, Jun 11, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Reader's Mail

Roads in north Chennai

This is with reference to the piece `Infrastructure projects hit road blocks ( The Hindu , 5-6-2007). Neglected north Chennai needs the attention of the Government, with formation of exclusive development committee headed by an IAS officer to expedite long pending subways/road overbridges across the railway track. Apart from this, to provide better access between Annanagar and north Chennai, the roads, such as ICF link road leading to Villivakkam railway station, Constable Road (between ICF and Otteri), Pilkington Road between Konnur High Road and Perambur Railway Station should be made proper thoroughfares; bus routes should also be introduced to cater to the need of railway employees and as well as the public.

This will go a long way to ease traffic congestion in north Chennai.

K. Ramadoss

Ayanavaram

Speedbreaker required

A speedbreaker is absolutely essential on both service lanes on Anna Salai near the pedestrian crossing at the TVS bus stop; right now there is no control over the speeding vehicles on both the sides as they are free to pass through irrespective of the traffic signal. Will the authorities arrange to install speedbreakers?

L. N. Sivakumar

West Mambalam

Autorickshaws and fare meters

It was interesting to read in The Hindu dated 7-6-07 that more than 3000 digital meters were recalibrated for autorickshaws between May 21 and June 4; but what is the use of this when not a single autorickshaw runs with the meter flagged?

Some of the autodrivers flag the meter as soon as they take the vehicle out, whether there is passenger or not. The meter is not restarted when the passengers boards the autorickshaw, and they are asked to pay the rate arbitrarily fixed by the auto driver.

If a traffic policeman intercepts him in the middle of the journey, he sees that the meter is running and he is let off. Only the passenger knows the exact truth. The traffic police should enquire whether the meter was flagged when the passenger boarded the vehicle, and they should also ask whether the auto driver had asked for any extra amount beyond the meter charge.

The name and licence number should also be furnished on the fare meter so as to enable the passenger to make a complaint if anything goes wrong.

Will our authorities discipline our autowallahs?

R. George

Senthil Avenue

CellOne signal

The Avadi BSNL CellOne tower frequently breaks down causing hardship to thousands of CellOne customers residing in and around Avadi, particularly TNHB, Kamaraj Nagar, Periyar Nagar, Lazer Nagar, Ananda Nagar, Iyappan Nagar, Thiruvalluvar Nagar etc. Even though it has, time and again, been brought to the notice of the Assistant Engineer concerned, the signal is restored after a lapse of 3 or 4 days. No permanent solution seems to be taken by the department concerned. On June 3, the signal went off again in the morning.

Will the Divisional and General Managers take remedial action in this regard in the interest of the subscribers.

C. Maharaja,

Avadi

Long-pending civic projects

The public of Chennai are grateful to The Hindu for highlighting the fact that several projects, especially subways and overbridges, which were announced long back still remain unfulfilled. We hope and wish that your coverage draws the attention of our Hon'ble Chief Minister and of the Hon'ble Minister for Local Administration. On the Villivakkam subway, I suggest the following:

(i) the gateway should be widened by 20 feet, geographically feasible tool;

(ii) Cars and autos should be made to stop one behind the other without spilling over to 3 or 4 parallel lines, as it happens now;

(iii) Erecting road medians beyond the railway area, so as to implement the above;

(iv) Ensure that two wheelers do not cross while the gates are closed, and make them fall in line to prevent jostling at the gates, creating bottlenecks.

V. Lakshminarayanan

Villivakkam

Damaged notes in circulation

Of late, currency notes of Rs.50/- denomination pasted with cellotape are in circulation. Even in the bundles issued by banks, such notes are found. However, many establishments, like shops, restaurant, small traders, refuse to accept such notes, despite their being legal tender. Even many Government offices and undertakings reluctant to accept it.

The citizens can't approach the banks every time to exchange such notes; therefore, the RBI should make an announcement, through the media, asking all establishments to accept such notes. It should also initiate action for issue of new notes, and withdrawal of damaged notes.

R. Mahadevan

Mylapore

Frequent power cuts, low voltage

There is no separate transformer for our locality, the population of which has grown in leaps and bounds. From last year, the residents are experiencing frequent cuts and also low voltage most of the times rendering the A/c units in the residences unable to function due to insufficient voltage.

I request the officials in the Injumbakkam electricity office, under whose jurisdiction our area comes, to provide a separate transformer for Marakayar Colony alone, at the earliest. We would appreciate it if one of their officials comes to our locality to find out about our problem.

K.N. Srinivasan,

Neelankarai

Land grab gangs

The widely reported attempts by land grab gangs to harass rightful owners of properties causing them wrongful loss due to forced litigation and frequent visits to the police for redressal are causing concern to the law-abiding citizens of the State.

There is a perception among many people that this is carried out by organised criminal elements with political patronage. It is the duty of all concerned to see that these criminal activities are put down with an iron hand, and disprove the apprehension of a few that rowdy elements are allowed to perpetrate terror with full backing of those charged with the responsibility of enforcing law.

D. V. Subramanian

Adyar

Bus service to Nanganallur

The Metropolitan Transport Corporatation (MTC) carries about four million passengers daily. But no buses are plying via Nanganallur 2nd Main Road ever since the drainage work started. Bus services, viz. 52L and 52 M running (via) Adambakkam, Jeevan Nagar, Thillai Ganga Nagar were suspended.

The reason given for the sudden withdrawal are the repairs to roads, laying of sewer lines and the like. These should not impede the running of buses. The routes should have been changed instead of cutting off of the service, to the detriment of travelling public, school going children, office-goers, commuters etc., Buses are a cheap mode of transport for the public.

This part is studded with temples and the crowds who throng the famous Anjaneya Temple during weekends are put to lot of hardship. Now that drainage work have been completed and the 2nd Main Road has been re-laid, it is possible to run M18C & 52L buses. We appeal to the authorities through these columns on behalf of the residents of these colonies for the early revival of these bus routes.

S.R. Balu

Nanganallur

Roads in Adambakkam

In Adambakkam Area, the roads, though black-topped in most cases, are not maintained in good condition, with many potholes, mounds, trenches etc. They are hazardous for the riders of vehicles, especially two wheeler riders. The Alandur Municipality must maintain the roads at regular intervals by filling up these potholes and removing obstructions so that vehicles can travel freely.

J. Manohar Singh

Adambakkam

Electric line posts must be replaced

I request the TNEB to replace the damaged electric line posts at 4th Street of Uzhaipalar Nagar, Pattabiram, before any accident happens.

It is a pity that the authorities are shirking their responsibilities and endangering the lives of people even after several complaints.

R. Bakiamary

Pattabiram

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