Chennai: While the government concentrates on improving road infrastructure for people who travel by their own vehicles, it has failed to pay heed to pedestrian safety and public transport connectivity in the neighborhood, says Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Walkers Club vice president S Venkatesan.
The residents of the neighbourhood, led by Venkatesan from Elango Nagar, list out a series of demands to make the neighborhood pedestrian friendly and convenient for non-vehicle owners.
The first demand Venkatesan places is for the government to construct foot-over-bridges at Collector Nagar and Thirumangalam junctions. Hitesh Kumar, a resident of Thiruvalleeswarar Nagar stresses on its need too. He said, “The 60-feet Ambattur Estate road sees heavy traffic all through the day. The traffic signals are placed far apart and are red only for a short duration. This makes it difficult for senior citizens to cross the road before signal turns green.”
Hitesh said the solution to this problem would be to construct FOBs with escalators like the one near
SBOA school junction. The residents want the FOBs to come up at main junctions like Collector Nagar and Thirumangalam.
The second problem Venkatesan lists out is that Anna Nagar West and Mugappair have inadequate public transportation facilities. While Anna Nagar East enjoys multiple modes of transport like Metro, excellent bus connectivity and share auto service, the West struggles.
“The government should extend bus route No S75 upto Officer’s colony bus terminus. Also, they should divert the whiteboard services starting from JJ Nagar West via Officer’s colony bus terminus,” demands Venkatesan. He says this would benefit thousands of families residing in this area.
Kavitha, a homemaker from Collector Nagar said, “The authorities only concentrate on improving facilities for people who travel on two-wheelers and four-wheelers. A considerable portion of people living in these areas are from middle to lower income group. And most do not know how to drive any motorised vehicle.”
“For people like us, the governments should improve pedestrian facilities and public transport network,” she added
Venkatesan says, “This being election time, I hope the MP seat aspirants pay heed to the demands of residents of Collector Nagar, Officers colony, Elango Nagar and surrounding area to make the neighbourhood safe for pedestrians.”
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| The inputs for this story were given by Elango Nagar resident, Venkatesan. He is our neighbourhood Journalist of the Week. You can reach him at 9444070309 |