Chennai: Recently, encroachments over the government land on Bharathi Salai near Arasamaram junction at Ramapuram were removed, and the residents are now happy and relieved from traffic chaos.
Prakash from Ramapuram who brought in this news to News Today says, “We appreciate this bold move of the Chennai corporation. However, still there are several encroachers who have occupied public places in the nearby localities, hindering vehicle movements.”
The resident also claims that a private educational institution in this area has occupied a vast government land here and use it for parking purpose. He asks, “Rules are supposed to be the same for everyone, but why has the corporation not taken action against them?”
“In Ramapuram, hefty OSR (Open Space Reservation) charges are collected by Panchayat / Corporation / CMDA whenever plan sanctions are accorded. In that case, the corporation can take control of this area and convert it into a park,” he further suggests.
Talking about other invasions in the surrounding areas, he says, “The pavements on Thiruvalluvar Salai and Annai Sathya Nagar are illegally occupied by shops, and, moreover, vehicles coming to load and unload the commodities are parked on the roads for hours together. They cause major hindrance to commuters.”
The local associations and NGOs have already taken these complaints to the authorities concerned, but they claim that no proper action has been taken till date.
| NO ONE TAKES RESPONSIBILITY |
| “When corporation officials were approached, they said that Highways Department has to take action. When Highways Department officials were contacted, they said that they take care of only the roads and not encroachment. Now the people have no idea as to whom they should approach regarding this issue,” says Prakash. |