Provide direct trains to other cities
This is with reference to the news item, ‘Plea to upgrade rail connectivity’ ( The Hindu , June 25). I welcome the plea made by People’s Pulse to Lieutenant Governor A.K. Singh to actively pursue the laying of new railway lines between Tindivanam and Cuddalore via Puducherry, and between Chennai and Cuddalore via Mamallapuram and Puducherry. However, the organisation’s plea to introduce shuttle service between Puducherry and Villupuram every 15 minutes by creating more crossing stations will not be commercially viable. People generally prefer travelling by train for long distances. It would be a big ordeal to travel up to Villupuram and change trains with luggage in hand. Aged people will find it especially difficult. Long-distance trains serve passengers travelling short distances as well. Short distance trains affect the schedule of long-distance trains, especially in the case of single line routes. As of now, Puducherry needs direct services to cities like Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Mysore and Thiruvananthapuram.
B. Balasubramanian
Lawspet, Puducherry
Utilise development cess properly
Municipal authorities in the Union Territory of Puducherry have been collecting charges under what is called ‘Development Cess’ from residential plot owners intending to construct houses after getting the approval from the Puducherry Planning Authority (PPA). The development cess has to be paid first and only then the approval from the PPA is possible. The amount collected for development cess ranges between several thousands according to the size of the plot and its location. However, what development has been undertaken by the municipality is anyone’s guess. There is no road, no infrastructure facilities and the residents belonging to poorer sections have no toilets in their homes, using the open areas for defecation causing health hazards. Pigs also roam about causing nuisance. At present, Puducherry has no elected body and the municipal institutions are being administered by bureaucrats. There is every need for the municipalities to use the amount paid under development cess for development of roads. With lack of drainage facilities, the water used in some houses are let onto the roads or to the neighbouring plots causing stagnation of drainage water leading to mosquito menace.
While development cess and property taxes are collected, the municipalities should ensure proper amenities for the residents and those constructing houses.
S. Nadarajan
Jawahar Nagar, Puducherry
Ensure safety of women
Many cases regarding women affected by eve teasing, molestation, sexual abuse and rape are being reported at present. These are being reported particularly in schools, colleges, universities and other educational institutions of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Women are mentally and physically disturbed.
The government and police officials must give severe punishment to these perpetrators.
M.R. Lakshiminarayanan
Villupuram
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