The TASMAC outlet functions from the common area of an apartment on Third Cross Street, Raja Annamalai Puram. That’s not the only thing wrong with this outlet. It lacks fire safety norms.
Residents of Narmada Apartments say they have made many representations to Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation about this outlet functioning from their premises. The struggle to have this outlet, which has a bar attached to it, removed is ten years old. Recently, residents organised a signature campaign.
Those visiting the outlet park their vehicles haphazardly in front of the shop, as no space has been earmarked for parking.
“The thoroughfare, a wide stretch, is now reduced to half its size. Because of this, traffic is sluggish at the junction of Canal Bank Road and Third Cross Street,” a resident complained. Plastic sachets, bottles and food leftovers are often seen near the compound wall and at the entrance of the apartment.
Evenings are the most difficult time for residents, because of an increase in customers and consumption of alcohol in the open.
“We cannot open the doors and windows in the evenings. The stench is unbearable. People taking Canal Bank Road also have to bear the offensive smell,” a resident said.
Residents say this outlet functions from an illegal structure, alleging that the apartment promoter constructed a building in the common area and let it out to a popular ice-cream brand. When the ice-cream parlour vacated , he took an additional six feet from the common area by fencing it, extended the building, and rented it out to TASMAC, residents alleged.
“We had constructed a Vinayakar Temple at the entrance of the apartment and were performing pujas twice a day. However, after the bar was opened, we stopped performing pujas . ,” said a resident.
Another resident A. Shalini Augustine said drunk youths pass lewd comments at women and girls.
‘“After sunset, it is a common to find tipplers sitting on the road with bottles and a cigarettes ,” S. Elizabeth Siva Kumar, another resident, said.
A senior police official said, “Every half-an-hour, a beat policeman from E4 Abhiramapuram Police Station patrols near the wine shop and arrests tipplers, who consume liquor in the open and cause nuisance to others. We have instructed the TASMAC staff to close down the shutters after 10 p.m.”
