A year ago, a much-awaited change arrived in Kamarajar Salai, Virugambakkam.
A section of the thoroughfare – from the local Corporation office to a government school – which is approximately one kilometre long, was freed of illegally parked vehicles. Parked vans, belonging to travel operators and cine agencies, were removed from the section and in the cleared space, a pavement was laid. Saplings were planted, adding a dash of green to the pavement. The plants was protected with fencing.
For the residents, this seemed to be perfect solution to the long-festering problem of illegally parked vehicles. Residents thought the pavement would deter people from parking their vehicles there. Time proved them wrong. Within months, the vans returned. This time, the carriageway was further reduced due to the presence of platforms.
“When the pavement was laid, seniors like me were very happy. It was after repeated representations to the Mayor that we got the vehicles removed and the platform laid. For a month or so, the plants along the pavement were maintained by the Corporation staff. But, before long, the vans returned. Parked on the road and along the pavement, they have made the pavement unapproachable. Now the fences around the plants are also in a damaged condition,” says a resident on condition of anonymity.
Residents say the traffic situation has worsened, especially during peak hours.
“As a few schools are located in the vicinity, traffic gets disrupted due to parking of vehicles along the pavement. What was a 40 feet road has shrunk by half.”
A corporation-run community hall makes matters worse.
“On days when afunction is conducted at the hall, it is impossible to travel on the stretch. Not many residents take the footpath now. It has become home to mobile tailoring units and flower shops. Sometimes, it becomes a make-shift service centre for the parked vehicles,” says Suresh, another resident.
AVM Colony residents have already given a written representation on the issue, but nothing has been done yet. Residents suggest that an unused land belonging to a temple on the stretch be converted into a parking lot. “We have many examples of vacant temple land being used as paid parking lots. A similar facility can be created here,” the residents adds.
