Until two weeks ago, Padmavathiyar Road in Gopalapuram would be lined with cars and vans. Now, only a clutch of vehicles is found, including a police patrol van conspicuously parked in a corner of the road to prevent unauthorised parking.
This salutary situation is the result of a spirited fight by the residents of Jeypore Colony.
For years, they have been battling poor traffic management and haphazard parking of vehicles. Linking Peters Road and Avvai Shanmugam Road (formerly known as Llyod’s Road), Padmavathiyar Road is a busy stretch.
Double parking near schools added to the difficult traffic situation.
Written complaints to Greater Chennai Corporation officials and regular meetings with van owners and schools failed to resolve the problem.
In February, after The Hindu Downtown highlighted the issue, members of Jeypore Colony Residents Association (JCRA) approached K. Bhavaneeswari, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic), who promised swift action.
“We saw results the next day,” says a member of JCRA. “The police now lock unauthorised or commercial vehicles parked on the road. Residents are asked to park their vehicles on the premises of their respective residential buildings.”
The small stretch of parking space allotted by the Greater Chennai Corporation, on Padmavathiyar Road, previously saw vehicles being parked during the restricted time slot — 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. The traffic police are now clamping locks on such vehicles as well.
A traffic police officer says, “We have been on our toes for the last one week. We monitor and regulate the traffic, especially during school hours, till we ease the congestion. Additionally, we carry out patrolling to keep unauthorised vehicles off Padmavathiyar Road. So far, we have been successful in implementing this.”
The Association members also plan to renew a deal with the schools and van owners that after the school hours, children will be sent in batches to their respective vans.
“As the school officials are held up with the Board examinations, we will discuss the proposition in detail in April,” says the member.
