A spate of chain snatching incidents and rampant cases of illegal parking in the last one year prompted residents of Seventh Sector in K.K. Nagar to consider improving security in their neighbourhood.
When they approached the R7 police station seeking help, they were advised by the inspector of police M.S. Baskar to get a gate installed at each of the three entrances to the sector.
The gates were inaugurated only a week ago by MLA V. N. Virugai Ravi, residents say they already are beginning to feel safe.
The sector, which has six streets, has three entry points: 33rd Street, 37th Street and 38th Street.
“Many petty crimes were being reported from the area. The presence of the gates would discourage miscreants from using the streets,” says N. Sukumar, president of Seventh Sector Residents Welfare Association, which was registered in March this year.
Also, as many private cabs, vans and mini buses are parked on the streets, there is a traffic problem, especially during school hour.
Members of the Association went from door-to-door seeking residents’ approval for installation of the gates.
“We were very clear that having these gates should not hamper movement of vehicles and people to and from the sector. It has been done just to enhance security in the neighbourhood. We took out a signature campaign and members of all 343 residential houses gave the initiative a thumbs-up,” says K.S. Rajan, secretary of the Association.
The gates will be shut from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. every day.
“For now, we are just planning to close half of the gate. Once residents are comfortable with it, we will close it completely at night,” says Sukumar.
Though other sectors in the area had installed similar gates long time ago, most are unused and left to rust away.
“We are in the process of appointing three security guards to man the gates. Without this, the initiative will fail,” adds Rajan.
Going a step ahead, the Association is also planning to get CCTV cameras installed on all the streets.
Other issues:
The Association want to make Seventh Sector plastic-free.
“We are in the process of procuring cloth bags that we want to distribute to residents. We have also approached the Corporation and got permission for the creation of a mini garden along the pavement. We want to make our sector a model one,” says Sukumar.
A vacant Metrowater land adjoining 37th Street is being misused.
“A portion of the wall is damaged and miscreants find it easy to enter the land, which is strewn with liquor bottles and food packets. Also, a few Metrowater sewage tankers have been dumping waste inside the land. We want the authorities to clean up the land. As this Sector lacks parks, the vacant land can be used for creating one,” he adds.
