Five is big number now for residents of Adyar. For them, it signals five years of togetherness. Last week, the Federation of Adyar Residents’ Association (FEDARA) celebrated its fifth anniversary.
“We had around 21 people when we first mooted the idea of a Federation. Many got back to join after consulting with their Associations. A few dropped out,” says P. K. Gunaseelan, president of FEDARA. He also recalls how the first three meetings were conducted under a tree outside Kasturba Nagar Welfare Association.
Today, FEDERA has 30 associations from localities such as Gandhi Nagar, Crescent Park Road, Padmanabha Nagar, Kasturba Nagar, Venkitarathnam Nagar, Krishnamachari Avenue, Karpagam Gardens, Shanti Colony, Shastri Nagar and Bhaktavatsalam Nagar. Let’s take a look at five major civic victories won by FEDARA.
A few years ago, crossing the Ambika Appalam junction on Sardar Patel Road was a nightmare for pedestrians. Many motorists use the Kasturba Nagar First Main Road as thoroughfare and vehicles are parked haphazardly on either side of the road, making it difficult for residents to get out of their houses. After many meetings with the traffic department, a one-way board was placed on First Main Road. The police is yet to enforce the one-way rule strictly.
Where all signals go red
The next time you are waiting at the Adyar signal, near Coronet, look closely at the signals and you'll see them turning red for all vehicles for 15 to 20 seconds. This move was aimed at helping pedestrians. Only that it could have been made even more pedestrian-friendly by increasing the duration. Fifteen to twenty seconds is not long enough, definitely not for senior citizens.
Zebra crossing at Adyar signal
Anyone who wants to go from Standard Chartered Bank to Parryware, which is on the other side of the road, has to walk in a long U. Less than a year ago, a zebra crossing was created. As a result, people cross over to Parryware and vice versa in no time.
Trash talk
Garbage removal is one of the topmost grievances of residents in any neighbourhood. It is a blame game with residents blaming the conservancy company for not clearing the garbage on time and the latter placing the blame squarely at the door of residents for throwing away the waste indiscriminately. “We used to call the conservancy company almost every day as complaints used to pour in from residents. Our complaints with Ramky have certainly come down after we started working with them,” says C. Ramakrishnan, secretary of FEDARA.
Meet the Assistant Commissioner
Getting an appointment to meet the Mayor, MLA or an Assistant Commissioner of Chennai Corporation can be quite a task. Spark, a civic activist group from Zone 13, ensured for the residents an audience with the Mayor after months of representation. Former Assistant Commissioner, Palani, gave FEDARA members a patient hearing.
To join FEDARA, contact the secretary at 9840727697 or email adyarfederation@gmail.com