One can understand the logic behind having a bit of greenery on an arterial road. But can one make sense of a garden on a narrow street with heavy vehicular traffic?
Residents of Thayar Sahib Street off Ellis Road have called into question the logic behind raising a roadside garden, approximately 50 metres long, next to the compound wall of the Government Muslim High School on Thayar Sahib Street.
“What purpose does this park serve? It is used as a grazing ground by cattle and a urinating point by pedestrians,” says Syed Asad, a long-time resident of the street.
Next to the garden is a huge dustbin where waste from various streets is dumped. The dustbin eats up road space. Further reducing the width of the roads are cars and lorries parked on the street.
Thayar Sahib Street, located off Ellis Road and G.P. Road, is used by motorists to get to Anna Salai from Triplicane. The presence of a hospital, a few clinics and a high school brings in many people and adds to the traffic chaos. Hardware shops and mechanic sheds are also among factors making the stretch busy.
“A pavement would have been helpful as many schoolchildren walk on this road,” says Asad, a freelance photographer.
Many residents are of the opinion that neighbourhoods such as Triplicane and Royapettah with narrow streets are not the place to have an elevated garden.
Residents have represented to various departments to clear the encroachments on the roads. They also want the stretch to be made an one-way.
“The roadside garden was built after we received complaints that people were littering the stretch outside the school and misusing it as a public toilet. The stretch is better now. With regard to encroachments, police should take action,” said a Corporation official of the Zone.
