With requests and warnings failing to produce the desired results the need for harsher measures to ensure compliance with road rules is being increasingly felt in this hill station where congestion has of late become a round the year problem.
Speaking to The Hindu, concerned citizens pointed out that since self discipline was going at a premium the authorities concerned in both the district and civic administrations should come down with a iron hand on those responsible for the prevalence of chaotic conditions on busy roads, even during the off season months.
Stating that even areas like the State Bank of India junction where roads leading to the Government headquarters hospital and the Collectorate, which were until recently considered to be relatively calm and safe were now noisy and unsafe for pedestrians, they regretted that haphazard parking and almost regular presence of cattle and ponies were adding to the chaos. Pointing out that the road leading to the hospital also led to the Municipal office, the Taluk Office and the Munsif court, regular users lamented that deep ruts and pot holes had not been attended to for long.
Campaigns organized off and on to rid the roads of stray animals were yet to produce tangible results.
With complaints regarding the growing number of stray animals mounting a drive had been launched sometime ago by the civic administration to round up the stray cows, goats and ponies.
An ultimatum had also been issued by the municipality asking the owners of the animals to remove them within a stipulated time. It had also been announced that the impounded animals would be released only
after the owners paid a fine and gave an undertaking that they would not allow their animals to stray again. However a lasting solution continues to be elusive.
Residents pointed out that the problem had attained menacing proportions only because of the leniency shown by civic officials. It was now hard to come across roads without stray animals. The problem was also high on the list of shortcomings provided by tourists.
