The Times of India                        05.03.2013

Corpn removes encroachments to ensure free passage for heavy vehicles

COIMBATORE: City municipal corporation employees removed encroachments alongside the service road near Walankulam bridge near Ukkadam on Monday. Corporation officials and a few residents said the action was being initiated based on a petition filed by residents of the adjoining Majeed Colony to ensure free passageway for heavy vehicles, especially water tankers, since the locality reels under water shortage. The entire stretch of road is piled with old pieces of wood and timber apart from two temporary shacks which will be removed to facilitate the widening of the concrete stretch.

"We have submitted a petition to the corporation to widen the road. It is very difficult for residents, especially when water tankers come here. If these encroachments and junk are removed, the passageway can be easily widened," said P Kabir, a resident of Majeed Colony.

More than 200 families reside in Majeed Colony which is an old residential locality alongside the Ukkadam bypass. After the construction of the bridge, the remaining space along the beam forming a service road has limited width for easy passage of vehicles. The residents claimed that essential services like drinking water supply tankers had difficulty in manoeuvring through the stretch and as a result majority of the residents had to walk up to the main road with water pots to collect water.

"Also, when the water tankers come, it is impossible for other vehicles to enter or exit the locality. It is a great inconvenience for residents here," said M Salim, another resident of Majeed Colony.

R Ehambaram, municipal councillor for ward no 74, was also present when corporation workers brought an earth remover to tear down the two temporary shacks erected by S Razzak (63), a local small time dealer of old timber and broken wood pieces. Two religious places of worship also fall on the stretch which corporation officials say will be retained.

"The entire stretch is being cleaned up to facilitate the smooth movement of heavy vehicles," said Ehambaram.

However Razaak claimed that he has been running his old timber business from the area for over 20 years and he is entirely dependent on the business to support his family.