A utility pole is lying in the self-same-spot where it stood not long ago. Uprooted six months ago, the pole is proving to be a mammoth hindrance to pedestrians taking the pavement of Norton Road in Mandavelipakkam.
These road users can “exchange notes” with those frequenting the pavements of Norton 3rdand 4thstreets as they encounter the same problem. Residents have no idea who erected these poles in the first place.
Civic activist and a resident of Norton 1stStreet, C.R. Balaji says that officials from the Greater Chennai Corporation took the poles down about six months ago, because they were put up without obtaining permission, but abandoned them on the pavements without moving them to a safer spot.
“Earlier, some of these poles were jutting out on to the streets obstructing vehicular movement and posing a threat to the safety of motorists. I sent many complaints to the Corporation, but the workers just moved them to the pavements without taking them away. There is no proper response to why the poles were put up and why they were removed so quickly,” he says.
With two schools in the vicinity, many children pass through Norton Road every day. Parents fear for their children’s safety, as they may end up walking on the road. “The Corporation should remove these poles to prevent unfortunate incidents,” he adds.
Attempts to reach the Corporation official in charge of ward 126 were unsuccessful.
