Vehicle check
I refer to the news report in The Hindu ( June 3, 2016) that the Transport authorities in Tuticorin launched a crackdown on erring drivers of vehicles transporting students on the second day of reopening of schools, which is very encouraging. I hope this will be continued till the end. It is commendable that violation of Motor Vehicles Act have been checked and 38 culprits brought to book. This is the need of the hour in Palayamkottai and Tirunelveli. Here one could witness auto-rickshaws carrying more than the stipulated number of children as passengers. In our towns, some private vans carry children to school and I wonder whether these vehicles are subject to any inspection by the authorities just like school vehicles.
Another scene on our roads is that certain mini load-vans carry people to work spots in the morning and evening, which is a violation of Motor Vehicles Act and safety of the workers too is in danger.
I request the authorities to put a check to these menaces and ensure safety of road users as well as schoolchildren.
J. Baby Harline,
Palayamkottai
Good Samaritan
Really, I was thrilled when I came to know about our Collector’s gesture to see off aged parents without valid passport to Qatar to take care of their ailing son ( June 3, 2016). The Collector called the parents to his bungalow at 5 a.m., along with the Mayor who initiated the move and took necessary steps to get temporary passport.
By arranging their travel, he has once again proved that he is a Good Samaritan.
S.J. Sylvestine,
Koottapuly
Temple tank
When I travelled recently along the SN High Road towards the Nellaiappar temple in Tirunelveli Town, I saw the ‘teppakulam’ almost dry. The available water is covered with moss and weeds. In addition, plastic and other wastes are dumped from one side of the pond where the compound wall is broken and a shop that buys junk materials is situated nearby.
This ‘teppakulam,’ which belongs to the temple and is considered sacred , now serves as a breeding ground for misquotes and emanates foul smell. I request the temple authorities to clean up the tank and renovate its parapet as the car festival is to happen in June.
E. Rajakumar Arulanandham,
Palayamkottai
Revival of tanks
This is with reference to the news item on revival of temple tank at Nallavoor near Kumbakonam ( The Hindu , June 6).There are so many village tanks to be revived in Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts. The villagers near the tanks may set up self-help groups under the leadership of educated elders and philanthropists. To meet the expenditure, a reasonable amount may be collected from the villagers and an equal amount demanded from the government. The collected amount will help deploy heavy earthmoving machinery to clear shrubs and level the tank. Members of self-help groups may extend their physical labour for the purpose. By removing wild growth and desilting tanks, we can store a huge quantum of rainwater, which will help the villagers to a large extent.
P. Victor Selvaraj,
Palayamkottai
Damaged road
The road between Thuvarancadu and Derisanamcope is terribly damaged for the last two years. Though repeated complaints have been made to officials no one has taken steps to repair the road. Elders and children travelling on this road are facing difficulties and its condition turns worse during rainy season. May I request the officials concerned to repair the road immediately?
K. Bhoothalingam,
Manathittai
Stray dog menace
Stray dog menace in Adhiparasakthi Nagar, Thoothukudi, is unbearable. We are not able to move freely and children are not able to play freely in the streets.
The dog population is increasing and many people had been bitten by them. Children going to tuition centres have to be escorted by elders. Otherwise they are chased by pack of dogs, which scares even elders.
Neela Sampad,
Thoothukudi
Free power
Both Tamil Nadu and Puducherry have granted 100 units of free power to residents. The scheme is slightly different in Puducherry and the explanation provided is thought-provoking. It says it will encourage consumers to save electricity. To make it more attractive, consumers who achieve 10 per cent reduction from the previous bimonthly consumption shall be given 2 per cent incentive. This incentive shall be in terms of units consumed and accumulated in the consumer’s account. Consumer shall be given the option of encashing it against the bill at the end of financial year or carry it forward to the next financial year. Although it looks like a freebie, it differs from other consumer durable freebies.
J. Edison Devakaram,
Thoothukudi
Toilets in station
Kanniyakumari railway station is one of the important ones in the country, where many trains arrive at odd hours. A large number of passengers who arrive by these trains do not find enough toilet facilities in the station and so they are forced to use the surrounding areas to relieve themselves, which is causing undue hardship to others.
The railway authorities should construct pay-and-use toilets in the surrounding areas so that the entire campus is kept clean.
W. D. Chitranand Arachi,
Kanniyakumari
Damaged road
Anna Nagar Third Street has a large number of houses and it is the link between Toovipuram and Millerpuram.
But the road here has not been repaired for quite a while. The road surface is broken by the recent rains.
During monsoon, there is water logging and potholes are formed.
I request the authorities to repair the road immediately.
M. Senthil Kumaran,
Thoothukudi.
