Cheithi Chiragugal

Residents of Five Star Apartments, PadiKuppam Road, Anna Nagar Interact with Thirumangalam Traffic Police in Chennai on Sunday.

Haphazard parking on road side, lack of traffic police during peak hours were some of the issues that should be dealt with serious concern, said residents of Padi Kuppam Road at a meeting organised by traffic police at Five Star Apartments, Padi Kuppam Road on Jan. 6. Participants insisted on putting up a zebra crossing near the traffic signal on Ambattur Industrial Estate Road. They pointed out that haphazard parking by tipplers near the wine shop during evenings was of great disturbance in the locality. The meeting was addressed by sub inspectors of police (traffic), Thirumangalam police station, Senthil and Palani. They assured the residents of necessary action on the offenders and sought the cooperation of residents in preventing crime.

AT OFFICERS COLONY

Similarly, Residents welfare associations in Anna Nagar West Extension and Mogappair organised a public-police meet at the Officers Colony, Anna Nagar West on December 30. The meeting was addressed by inspector of police traffic V5 Thirumangalam police station, Illayaraja, and SI, traffic, Thirumangalam Senthil and Palani. The meeting served as a platform for the large number of residents from the area.

As many as eight associations’ representatives including Jeevan Bhima Nagar Flat Owners Association, TVS Colony Welfare Association, TVS Avenue Welfare Association, Radial House Residents Welfare Association and West End Colony Welfare Association took part in the meet. V. Rajagopal and Dhas, president and secretary respectively of Anna Nagar Western Extension (Phase II) Residents Welfare Association, coordinated with the police officials and resident’s representatives.

The meeting enabled the associations to understand the difficulties faced by the traffic police in the discharge of their duties. Similarly, the police personnel also appreciated the feelings of the representatives of the welfare associations. Residents insisted on removal of encroachments on platforms, non-observance of traffic signals and driving of vehicles on wrong side of the roads..

Representatives wanted traffic violations to be dealt with stringent regulations. They wanted cameras to be installed in signals. “Automatic generations of fine will deter errant motorists”, they felt. One of the representative said that there was no ‘U’ turn near the MMM Hospital signal, which was often violated by two-wheeler riders. Traffic personnel on duty are mute spectators to this, he added. There is also a need for a pedestrian-crossing at this junction, he suggested.

BAZAAR ROAD

Bazaar Road in Collector Nagar, Mogappair, is slowly being usurped by vendors and the scene here is akin to Ranganathan Street, T. Nagar. A large part of the road and the pavements have been taken over by encroachers completely. Police inaction has further compounded the problem. Representatives at the meet suggested swift action against all these atrocities.

The meeting also noted that the signage installed on the platform by BPCL Petrol bunk at the end of Officers’ Colony Road has tobe removed. Similarly, vehicles entering the petrol bunk from the wrong side (in view if its location at the junction of the roads) creates traffic bottlenecks frequently.

Inspector of Police Mr. Illayaraja assured to take necessary action. He explained that due to shortage of police personnel in the traffic wing they were not able to effectively regulate the ever increasing traffic during peak hours.

He said the public was always welcome to share their problems with him. “You need not even come to the police station. Just give us a brief description of the offender or miscreant over phone by mentioning a proper landmark. We will take immediate action.”

Thanks: The Hindu