At Kalakshetra Colony, senior citizens and residents struggle without pavements

“Kalakshetra colony is the abode of many senior retired and serving government officials. Many of them own at least two cars and the roads are built to accommodate those cars. Without pavements, there is hardly any walking space for pedestrians. Senior citizens find it difficult to walk on the roads with the cars whizzing past,” V Chandrasekhar, former professor of Anna University and the president of senior citizens group of Besant Nagar, said.

As the intersection of Kaveri Street and Nav Bharat Colony Second Street is used by the pedestrians and school students, we had requested the officials to lay speed breakers to reduce the vehicle speed there. “The intersection is a danger spot for the children, due to fast moving cars. Even though the officials laid two speed breakers after budging to our requests, they were removed following the influence of some people. We again raised complaints and the officials have recently built speed breakers. However, we are not sure how long the speed breakers would last,” he pointed out. He also requested the officials to not to remove the speed breakers again and waste taxpayers’ money.

Meanwhile, some residents of nearby slum also said that many streets in the Kalakshetra Colony do not have pavements and they are forced to walk on the road. “As there are no speed breakers on the streets and the attitude of car owners of not giving any regard to the pedestrians, we have to be more cautious while walking on the streets of the Colony. The officials should lay pedestrian pavements and stop pro-rich attitude,” said a pedestrian on condition of anonymity.

When contacted the zonal officer of Adyar, he could not explain the reason for laying and removing the speed breakers as well as the reason for not laying pavements. However, he assured that he would look into the issue and take appropriate action.