Tuticorin, Oct 2:
Two Highways Department engineers have been suspended following a controversy over the inclusion of Hindi on a road direction signboard at Sathankulam in Thoothukudi district.
The signboard, installed near the Karumeni river bridge on the Sathankulam-Nazareth State Highway, carried directions to Thoothukudi, Tiruchendur, Alwarthirunagari and Tirunelveli. The place names were displayed in Tamil, Hindi and English, in that order.
The presence of Hindi on the board drew public attention and triggered criticism, as most State Highways Department signboards generally carry names in Tamil and English. The issue also went viral on social media.
Following the objections, the Hindi inscriptions were removed from the signboard. Subsequently, the Highways Department’s Assistant Executive Engineer and Assistant Engineer concerned with the installation were suspended.