Despite having encroached roads and footpaths, several hoardings and wooden structures erected on Avinashi Road could not withstand strong winds that blew the city on Thursday. A quick check done by The Hindu on the nine-km stretch from VOC Grounds to Sitra Junction revealed that majority of the hoardings erected on the sides of the road, mostly obstructing the footpath, were found tilted due to wind.
A huge round hoarding erected near GRD College came off from the footpath where it was erected. The fallen hoarding was removed by workers in the afternoon.
“The structures erected do not seem strong to withstand the winds. Apart from encroaching roads, they pose threat to motorists as a strong spell of wind can bring them ground,” said K. Yogeswaran, a motorist.
A group of workers, who were found with a set of flex boards in a goods carriage at Peelamedu on Thursday afternoon, said that the hoardings were going to be erected on behalf of the District Collector’s office.
“We are waiting for a final call from the employer to erect the banner or not,” said one of the workers. He added that they were not aware of the order issued by the High Court on Thursday.
Another worker said that they were ready to erect or remove the hoardings and structures, but wanted to be paid the remuneration at the end of the day.
Meanwhile, there was no visible action on the road to remove the banners, cut-outs, and hoardings in the wake of the High Court order. Corporation officials clarified that they were waiting to see the contents of the order as it gets updated on the website. Similarly, the counsel for the corporation was also on the job to get a copy of the order. Based on the order, necessary action will be initiated as directed by the court.
