Monday, March 19, 2007

Corporation of Chennai - Beautification plans

A number of groups have been fighting against construction of concrete structures on the Besant Nagar Beach, though the Chennai Corporation is planning this beautification on the Marina Beach. Why no soul has voiced their opinion on the beautification of Marina is a Million Dollar question? The Commisioner of the Corporation of Chennai states that this beautification programme is to attract tourists.

Have the Corporation ever thought of improving the roads in the city? This improvement will attract tourists as they look forward to better motorable conditions and the traffic snarls drive them crazy and they do not wish to return to Chennai. The autowallahs also make lives miserable for the tourists. I think improving the infrastructure will be a better bet that spending money to spoil the natural surroundings of the beach.

Why have we not filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) against the Chennai Corporation - asking them why should new car buyers pay road tax for life - the roads have not been improved for years. Why should we not stop Registration of new cars after March 31st, 2007, until the roads are repaired and made motorable in all areas of Chennai? All the money collected by way of Road Tax is now available to the Corporation of Chennai and the Authorities feel it is important to beautify the beaches and not repair the roads and give room for free flow of traffic.

Can a Lawyer help me file this PIL please?

Incidentally, I wish to share some information with you all. My visit to some shops on Lattice Bridge Road (now Muthulakshmi Salai) gave an insight to some things which the Chennai Corporation is grossly overlooking. Each and every shop owner tells me that they have been given 'Eviction' orders long long ago but the Government has not put any pressure in evicting them to increase the Road width of LB Road.

All the traders on LB Road, are ready to leave if such an eviction is to take place, without any protest, as they are all aware they are encroaching the space meant for the expansion of LB Road. If LB Road is widened by about 50 feet then there will be free flow of traffic on this road as it is an arterial road.

Those who read this, please join the Civil Society Group and extend your support to improve existing roads and stop concreting the Beaches in the name of 'Beautification'. You can email to civilsocietygroup@googlegroups.com and support this cause.