Help the flood-hit
This refers to the news report, ‘Tiruppur entrepreneurs’ gesture' (Nov. 19, 2015). It was encouraging to read that two textile bodies in Tiruppur have arranged 25,000 sets of apparels for dispatch to the flood-affected people in coastal districts. Tens of thousands of people in many parts of the State have been marooned and stranded due to torrential rains. In this critical time, it is our duty to rush to the help of our fellow citizens.
Therefore, I appeal to the readers of The Hindu to donate liberally for the rehabilitation of the rain-hit people and prove that they are second to none in rising up to the occasion in lending a helping hand in times of natural calamities.
S. Nallasivan,
Tirunelveli.
Model bus shelter
Just before the onset of monsoon, the city bus shelter near Santhosnagar towards Tuticorin was demolished. It was a pre-emptive action taken by the department concerned as otherwise the dilapidated shelter might have collapsed and caused an accident. We hope that a new shelter will be installed after the monsoon. Tuticorin is gearing itself to become a smart city. The following points shall be considered for the new shelter. It shall be designed like a players’ dugout as in modern sports stadiums.
Floor shall be of a single granite polished slab. A roof made of toughened glass will make the shelter bright. A solar panel shall be erected to provide power to the shelter. A digital time table and a panel to indicate the time of arrival of the next bus shall be installed. Ergonomically designed individual seats with stainless steel rails to guide the passengers to the door steps of the bus should be provided so that none can jump the queue. A ramp as well as a broad step shall be erected so that passengers can easily approach the bus shelter. I appeal to the officials to execute the shelter as a model bus shelter of the Smart Cities Mission.
J. Edison Devakaram,
Tuticorin.
Neglected road
The condition of a stretch of 40-odd-km-long road connecting Tuticorin and Tiruchendur should be experienced to know how bad it is. To classify this road as bad is an understatement and to call it very risky can somewhat be nearer to the truth. Potholes big enough to conceal a resting goat or a napping dog are sights to be seen to believe. Water stagnation in uneven surface and puddles send the pedestrians scurrying to the edges of the road. Two-wheeler riders weaving through this stretch, throwing traffic rules and caution to the winds, is a common sight as they avoid the cracks which run like the lines in one’s palm. For nearly three decades, this stretch has not been re-laid.
V. Paul Rajaiah,
Arumuganeri.
Continuing woes
After the heavy downpour of November 13, the rains subsided but the woes still continued due to stoppage of power supply to many houses. The invertors too failed to work in the absence of electricity and mobile phones were out of order.The linemen of Tangedco did not turn up despite personal requests and booking complaints on November 16.
N. Kasilingam,
Tuticorin.
Pedestrians at peril
Collectorate Junction is the busiest junction in Nagercoil. Kottar-Parvathipuram road is becoming the business hub of the town. Incessant vehicle flow from all directions in the junction puts the pedestrians at risk when they try to cross the road to enter or leave the Collectorate campus. Vehicles do not stop when pedestrians cross the zebra marking.
Will the authorities take immediate steps to construct a pedestrian bridge across the road to solve this problem?
B. Nagalingam Pillai,
Thazhakudy.
Prevent mosquito breeding
As the rainy season has started, mosquitoes also have started to multiply. Lot of mosquitoes breed in stagnant water. The government must undertake fogging to prevent mosquito breeding. Even after fogging in Spic Nagar, the number of mosquitoes is increasing. Fogging must be done regularly.
B. Akash,
Tuticorin.
Unsafe roads
The recent rains have damaged most of the roads in Tamil Nadu. In the southern districts, Nagercoil town has been receiving continuous rains for the past few weeks. Important roads such as Water Tank Road, Meenakshipuram Road and College Road are heavily damaged and have become very unsafe for road users. The underground drainage work and heavy downpour are considered to be the causes for the damage. But an equally, if not more hazardous factor, is the heavily laden trucks with 20 to 40 tonnes of sand inching through these feeble and flimsy roads. Either these roads should be laid qualitatively like the National Highways or the entry of sand-laden heavy vehicles must be banned.
G. Stanley Jeyasingh,
Nagercoil.
Store surplus water
During rainy season all the rivers in Tamil Nadu are brimming with water and the surplus goes as waste into the sea.
The surplus water should be stored in check dams that may be constructed across the rivers and channelised to the needy areas. The government should formulate schemes which will ensure that there is no scarcity of drinking water in Tamil Nadu.
K. Chelliah,
Aundivillai.
