For a 75-year-old, N. Rajini is extremely sprightly. Yet, she avoids going to the park or shopping. “The walk to the Kapleeshwara Temple. Even that walk is hardly trouble-free, as the path leading to the temple is replete with obstacles,” says Rajini, who has been fighting for better pavements in the neighbourhood for the last six years.
The battle began, around six years ago, when Thiru-Vi-Ka Salai – formerly Royapettah High Road – was made a one-way. The calm on P.S. Sivaswami Salai was disturbed with huge vehicles including buses trundling down stretch. Adding to the trouble, private vehicles began to be parked on both sides of the road.
“Many pedestrians are forced to walk on the carriageway or between haphazardly parked cabs and autorickshaws. And, crossing the road is a nightmare,” she says, discussing the difficulties she faces while returning from the temple in Mylapore.
She suggested to officials of the traffic department that two-way traffic should be restored on the stretch. She promoted the idea, but in vain. She is now trying to ensure that P.S. Sivaswami Salai has pavements. “Only one side of the road facing Vivekananda College has pavements. We were told that once the stormwater drain work is completed on the other side, pavements will be laid. It is over a year since the promise was made, but there is still no sign of any work being started there,” says the retired government employee.
She is engaged in another, this one with the MTC, to have a bus stop established on the stretch. “Apart from residents, the bus stop will help college-goers, children studying in the neighbourhood Corporation school and those going to Isabel Hospital,” says the long-time resident of the area.
After Luz Corner bus stand, the next stop at Valluvar Salai is over a kilometre away. For those coming from TTK Road, the walk is even longer.
“I am tired of knocking on the doors of every department. Last month, my sister’s son who studies in Vivekanand College got signatures from his classmates and sent a representation to the transport department requesting that a bus stop be established near dhobi khana,” she says, adding “Though I may seem to be fighting a losing battle, I will not give up.”
