For the police, revenue, and civic authorities, agitations and picketing are part and parcel of their everyday life, but even they were taken by surprise by the road blockade organised by flat dwellers on VOC road in the city on Sunday.
A large number of residents, including women and office-goers, took to the street to highlight the suffering they have endured for the past two years.
Ever since the construction of the railway overbridge near Aristo Roundabout began, all long-distance buses have been allowed to use the VOC road to reach the Central Bus Stand. Because of this huge volume of traffic on the narrow stretch, the road has been completely battered.
Though the residents chose to remain silent for the last several months, the cloud of thick dust and cement particles kicked up by the row of vehicles have forced the residents to come out of their homes in large numbers to register their anger.
The problem had accentuated, particularly after the commencement of relaying of roads. Buses were allowed to ply on the road even before the concrete mixture was allowed to settle completely. Besides creating potholes, the heavy vehicles kick up a lot of dust, the residents said.
When the police and officials of the Tiruchirapalli City Corporation reached the spot for negotiation, the agitators showed the layer of cement and sand accumulated on the verandas, reception halls, and dining rooms of their homes to the officials. They also strongly opposed the operation of buses on the narrow road which was supposed to cater to the needs of just the local residents.
“It is appalling to operate buses when the road works are on. The authorities should have closed the road until the completion of road works. Moreover, it is illogical to operate heavy vehicles on a road, which is mainly meant for the use of local residents. It should not have been opened for regular traffic,” A. James, a retired Superintending Engineer, Public Works Department, said.
Dr.Balasubramanian, another resident of VOC road, said most of the residents living along the road have been undergoing a horrid nightmare as they were forced to inhale the air which was heavily polluted. It had caused respiratory diseases and asthma to several elderly residents in the area, he said
The authorities, who gave a patient hearing to the agitators, promised to resume the road work on Tuesday and complete it without a break.
