At a time when complaints pour in from various localities in Madurai Corporation about inadequate basic civic amenities, here is one area which presents a contrasting picture.
West Masi Street usually brings to mind traffic-choked roads and efforts required for parking a vehicle before entering a shop.
Traffic congestion and parking space crunch notwithstanding, Ward 80, which covers the commercial hub of the city, appears to be a success story in terms of amenities and public satisfaction, thereby shaping itself as a flagship ward.
The ward is a good blend of business and residential areas, such as West Masi Street, Makkan Thoppu Street, Nadar Street, Thalai Virichan Lane, Soodamsami Lane, Sambandhamurthy Street, West Perumal Maistry Street, Maninagaram, Scott Road, V. P.Square, Thiruvika Salai and Krishnarayar Teppakulam. The renovated Mangammal Chathiram, a famous landmark, is in this ward.
The spot feedback taken on August 14 from a cross section of people in commercial and residential areas indicates that public satisfaction is high when compared to other wards.
One of the reasons cited for this level of satisfaction is the size of the ward, which is predominantly a trading centre with households confined to select pockets.
With a population of 10,946 in 2,189 households, it is the highest tax-earning ward (bill collection) generating a revenue of Rs.1.76 crore to the civic body this financial year, against the target of Rs.2.36 crore.
“Water scarcity has never been an issue in my ward because there are bore wells and taps everywhere. In the last three years, civic works worth Rs. five crore were implemented with focus on underground drainage. Once in two days, I visit the ward and take steps for instant solution on public complaints,” councillor Kannagi Baskaran, a Ph. D. holder in Economics from Madurai Kamaraj University, says.
“You can see paver blocks in many lanes in the ward. We got a paver block road seven months back. The public toilet in our street has no pipes and water supply. It has to be set right,” says R. Bhagyalakshmi of Makkan Thoppu Street.
Residents of V. P. Square, behind Tamil Sangam Road, too are quite content with water availability, underground drainage, roads and street lights. They, however, want the corporation to take steps to clean the Anuppanadi channel and relay the Pechiamman Padithurai Road where water stagnation leads to mosquito breeding during rains.
“We get drinking water supply once in three days, like any other ward. There is no problem with drainage or roads since the corporation has laid paver block roads. If Anuppanadi channel is cleaned, it will be good for us,” says K. Prabhu Sankar of V. P. Square First Street.
Two-time councillor, Dr. Kannagi Baskaran, promises to look into the public grievances, especially with regard to Anuppanadi channel.
“I have made a representation to the Mayor and officials. My priority will be to get the storm water drain from Oax House to T. M. Court desilted to tap rainwater. The rainwater harvesting structures around public taps, which are connected to drainage lines, need immediate attention,” she says.
Parking space
Ever since the West Masi Street became one-way, traffic congestion eased to some extent.
But, there is a demand to implement the one-way regulation strictly during peak hours since haphazard parking is a major problem.
The ward is an important commercial area and a trading hub for hardware, electrical goods and paint.
Autorickshaw driver V. Muruganandham of Nadar Street says double-parking on West Masi Street is blocking free movement of vehicles. “Lorries are parked on both sides and two-wheelers make things worse for us. Women find it difficult to cross the road,” he laments. Traders feel that their business should not get affected because of traffic control by the police.
“Very soon, we may have to shut the shops if something is not done for parking. Already, many people are hesitant to visit the area for making purchases. The traffic police should find a permanent parking lot in the area for cars and two-wheelers,” says K. R. Selvarajan, executive committee member, Madurai Hardware and Paint Merchants’ Association.
With the councillor determined to get more amenities, Ward 80 has positioned itself as a model with minimal complaints and high public satisfaction.
