Citizen connect: Residents, traders encroach upon pavements at Periyar Nagar

Located between Perambur on the east and Kolathur on the west, Periyar Nagar is one of the planned residential localities in north Chennai. Neatly paved and well-connected roads with ample green cover are the prominent features of this neighbourhood. Though all the important thoroughfares here have well-laid pedestrian pathways, they have been turned into parking lots by a section of residents and traders. Due to this, the pedestrians are forced to walk on the road, where they are not able to move freely due to the vehicles zipping past.

The residents claim that despite complaining about the issue to Corporation officials, no action has been taken yet. “Most pavements in Periyar Nagar have disappeared partly due to the extension of compound walls of the houses and also vehicles parked on them. The house owners conveniently park their vehicles on the pavement outside their houses, preventing people from walking on them,” complained Venkat, a former BPO employee and a residentof Periyar Nagar.

He added that this issue of parking vehicles on the pavement has been continuing for several years. The residents also claimed that roads have taken over by traders, who are using it for commercialpurposes.

“Karthikeyan Road and 70 Feet Road are two main roads where heavy vehicle movement is witnessed in Periyar Nagar. On these two roads, the pavements are used either as parking spaces or for commercial establishments where several road side shops have been setup,” said Mohanasundaram, a temple priest from theneighbourhood.

According to Mohanasundaram, though the 70 Feet Road is one of the widest roads in the locality, close to 50 per cent of the road could not be used for vehicular movement due to irresponsible parking and encroachment of pavements.

When the Corporation official from the zone was asked about the problem, the official said that whenever they visit the locality for other issues, they instruct the house owners and commercial establishments to keep the pavements free for pedestrians. Theofficial also assured to take action immediately.