Chennai: AIADMK Legal Wing Secretary Inbathurai has voiced concerns over the upcoming Formula 4 car race being organized in Chennai, alleging that it is being held for the enjoyment of Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin.
He called for the government to take appropriate action in the interest of public welfare.
In a recent statement, Inbathurai highlighted that the Tamil Nadu government, in collaboration with a racing promotion company, had initially planned to conduct the Formula 4 car race around Chennai’s streets at the start of the year. However, the event was postponed due to the arrival of Cyclone Mandous. Now, plans are in place to reschedule the race, with a new date already set.
Inbathurai pointed out that Chennai’s streets are already under significant pressure due to traffic congestion. He criticized the government for planning a car race through these crowded roads without taking any steps to alleviate the ongoing traffic issues. He compared the situation to the historical anecdote of Emperor Nero playing the fiddle while Rome burned, implying that the government is focusing on entertainment while ignoring more pressing public concerns.
He further argued that hosting the car race in Chennai could lead to unnecessary problems, as major roads would need to be closed, and traffic would be brought to a standstill during the event. The race route includes areas near critical infrastructure, such as the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, a multi-specialty hospital, and the Chennai Central railway station. These are busy areas with constant traffic and public movement, and the noise from the race cars, expected to exceed 120 decibels, could cause significant discomfort, particularly for hospital patients.