People visit Courtallam, where bathing is allowed in the falls throughout the day. Some people take bath in groups after consuming liquor. Accidents occur in Courtallam due to drunken driving after late night bath in the falls. So there should be some restrictions in bathing. A gate should be erected near the falls and it should be locked after 7.30 p.m. People should be asked to leave the falls before 8.00 p.m.
K. Ananthanarayanan,
Kanniyakumari.
Enayam port project
This has reference to the news reports 'Plea for early implementation of Enayam port project' (July 30, 2016) and 'Tension in Enayam over confinement of officials' (Aug 4, 2016). The proposed port will help in developing the coastal economy, growth of small and medium industries and generate employment opportunities. Since there are no major industries in the southern districts, the educated and skilled work force is compelled to migrate to other States in search of employment. The authorities have assured that land for construction of the port will not be acquired and land required for road and rail links only will be acquired. So, there is no cause for worry. While the neighbouring States are progressing well in infrastructure creation, Tamil Nadu is lagging behind because of the obstacles created by vested interests. So the fishermen should reconsider their stand of opposing the project and lend their support. At the same time, the authorities should allay the fears of the fisher folk on acquisition of land and their displacement.
S. Nallasivan,
Tirunelveli.
Overloaded autos
Autorickshaws that carry children to school are found jam packed in Palayamkottai and Tirunelveli. In the beginning of the academic year, erring auto drivers were dealt with severely by the traffic police but now the action has slackened. So is the case with three persons riding on a motorbike and school students below the age of 18 driving two-wheelers. I request the traffic police to deal strictly with such cases and also with overloading auto-rickshaws and levy heavy fines on erring auto-drivers.
E. Rajakumar Arulanandham,
Palayamkottai.
Road level
Recently, a few roads within the Municipal Corporation limits were re-laid in Palayamkottai . Usually the process is carried out only after removing the existing layer. But here bitumen mixed with stone-chips was coated over the existing road, which has lead to a rise in its level. As such, houses and shops built long back on these roads have to take preventive measures to stop rain water from entering their premises as the road level has been going up. I request the Corporation authorities to look into this issue before entrusting the road work to any contractor.
J. Baby Harline,
Palayamkottai.
Traffic congestion
Every day, traffic between Chellapandian statue and Junction bus stand is so heavy from 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. that passengers miss Chennai trains very often. To reduce the traffic congestion, this stretch may be converted into one way. All vehicles, including two-wheelers, bound for Palayamkottai and South Bypass Road from Junction bus stand should reach the North Bypass Road along the present Madurai road. Melapalayam town buses should reach the Collectorate from Chellapandian statue. A traffic island with signal may be installed at the place where the Madurai Road meets North Bypass Road.
P. Victor Selvaraj,
Palayamkottai.
