Chennai: On 1 July, Greater Chennai Corporation removed encroachments by scrap shops on 60 Feet Road that lead to Bharathidasan Colony.
But the issue is far from over: motorists are having a tough time using the road after it was shrunk by paving way for a big pavement on both sides of the road.
“The Corporation removed the median on 60 Feet Road. They shrunk the width of the road by constructing pedestrian walkways. It is no use for anyone and they are wasting public money. They could have given the space to shops located on the road,” said a worker in a scrap shop.
Looking at the empty pedestrian pathway, he said people are not even using it. “After the pedestrian walkway was built, the median was removed and it has led to traffic jams,” he said.
“There are around 130 shops on the entire stretch on one side. The civic body has laid the pedestrian walkway under the Smart City project. They should reduce its width. It has turned into a free parking space for scrap shop workers and owners. Due to the reduction of road width, traffic is increasing and the authorities should look into it,” said a resident of Bharathidasan Colony.