Home to iconic landmarks in Triplicane, Ward 116 still has a handful of problems that persist.
Lack of regulated markets, less space for pedestrians, chaotic main roads and by-lanes and the danger to motorists posed by cattle roaming on the roads are some of the problems residents of this ward are facing for several years now.
V. Chandran, a third generation resident of Bharathi Salai (Pycrofts Road), says successive governments have done little to address the problem of lack of space for pedestrians along the main roads. “Be it Pycrofts Road or Triplicane High Road (Quaid-e-Milleth Salai), we pedestrians face the risk of being knocked down by buses, cars and two-wheelers,” he said. When the government can bring a turnaround on Thyagaraya Road (Pondy Bazaar), why not in Triplicane, he asks.
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Pavements on most of the main roads have been taken over by traders, while the margins by hawkers and parked vehicles, leaving very little space for pedestrians. Chaos reigns during rush hours, especially at Ice House intersection.
“The traffic police seem to have given up on bringing at least a semblance of order here,” says N.Rajaram of Pallappan Street. According to him, traffic congestion on main roads and cattle menace in the market area are the problems the civic body has to give top priority.
Residents living in slum board tenements said their demands include improving hygiene around Buckingham Canal and illumination in the approach roads leading to Triplicane MRTS railway station. Residents on Big Street say problems of inadequate drinking water supply still persist. This summer was no exception.
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P. Sreenivasan, ward councillor, says two cattle enclosures were constructed in the past five years, but conceded that the menace persisted. There were plans to create additional enclosures to bring a permanent solution. Further, the Greater Chennai Corporation had commissioned plans to improve the G.K.Mandapam vegetable market and it is likely to be completed in a few months.