: All encroachments that posed hindrance to free flow of traffic would be removed, said Mayor V.V. Rajan Chellappa on Saturday.
Addressing a public hearing on road traffic improvement, he said the Corporation had proposed long term, mid-term and short term plans to improve vehicular traffic in the city at a cost of Rs. 1,641 crore. As an immediate measure, encroachments on roadsides would be removed. The Corporation was ready to seek additional funds from the State government for upgrading traffic system.
Appreciating the Corporation's move to bring in officials from various departments and for seeking public opinion on road traffic and cleanliness, Collector, Anshul Mishra said though Madurai was the second important city next only to Chennai, it was lacking in many things. “Political will, with a long-term vision of the council and cooperation of the people, can bring upon a visible change,” he said.
Commissioner of Police Sanjay Mathur hinted at introducing more one-ways to decongest vehicular traffic. Though the city police was trying to educate the people on road safety, people had to realise its importance and cooperate with the police.
When Additional Superintendent of Police A. Myilvahanan pointed out that the wild growth (karuvel) along the Ring Road was posing a security hazard for the VVIPs coming to the city from airport, Mr. Chellappa promised to remove them immediately.
