Traffic islands wear worn-out look

Lush green grass eroded, grill railings damaged in absence of upkeep

Poorly maintained lawns around statues in the city. Photo: R.M. Rajarathinam

While the recent road widening projects taken up by the Corporation and the four-lane projects of the national highways have strengthened infrastructure, poor maintenance of traffic islands at various junctions is still a sore point.

The giant traffic island at the Aristo Hotel junction, the meeting place of the Dindigul road and Viralimalai road junction, and situated at a stone's throw from the central bus stand, was the cynosure of all the eyes all these years.

The well-laid out structure, with the life-size statue of Babasaheb Ambedkar in the middle, is now in a dilapidated condition.

The lush green grass and the grill railings which covered the traffic island, have all gone and the poor condition of the island is to be seen to be believed. Further the railings which were damaged by reckless vehicles are yet to be renovated.

“This spacious traffic island with its well-planned layout, ensured smooth flow of traffic. The road surrounding this island is also in a poor condition and needs immediate attention,” says Chandramouli of Ponnagar, an IT firm employee.

The one housing the King Mutharayar statue at Cantonment, very near the Corporation office, is yet another island which craves for attention. The traffic park surrounding the Anna statue at Chinthamani, the mini island on Williams road near the Kalai Kaviri College of Fine Arts, are cases in point of neglected state of these facilities. However, the traffic islands housing the Pasumpon Muthuralingam, Kamaraj and Periar statues near the Central Bus stand, Kamaraj statue near the Chathiram bus stand and the one at the St.John's Vestry Anglo Indian School junction have been well maintained, said to be by private organisations.

Similarly, a few mini parks in residential localities are craving for attention. Due to their poor maintenance, many have stopped visiting these parks, lament the office bearers of the residents welfare associations.

N.Ramakrishnan, convener of the Federation of Welfare Organisations, a group of citizens interested in the development of the Corporation areas, favoured handing over the maintenance of these parks and traffic islands, to forest and horticulture departments.

With the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) involving in the work of developing new parks and traffic islands along the recently four-lane road within the city limits, the Corporation too should follow suit in maintaining the already existing facilities, says Esther, a house wife.