The Hindu       22.01.2015  

Rs.8 crore sanctioned to improve city roads

Safety mission:NSS volunteers of American College taking out road safety
awareness rally from Mattuthavani Bus Stand on Wednesday.— Photo: R.
Ashok

The Madurai Corporation has been sanctioned Rs.8 crore
exclusively to improve city roads and thereby create better road
infrastructure.

This fund was given to the civic body
by the State government under the Tamil Nadu Urban Roads Infrastructure
Fund (TURIF) and it will be utilised soon for creating a better road
network . “We are having Rs.8 crore for undertaking road works and, if
required, additional funds will be mobilised from other sources,”
Commissioner C. Kathiravan told
The Hindu
on Wednesday.

He was replying to a question on the
bad condition of city roads and hardships caused to motorists and
public. The corporation is ready to spend money from funds allotted
through Integrated Urban Development Mission and from the general fund
also, he added.

Mr. Kathiravan informed this before
flagging off a road safety awareness rally by students organised as a
part of the Road Safety Weekcelebrations in association with Voice
Trust, American College and Surabhi Suzuki at Mattuthavani omni bus
stand.

He emphasised the need to avoid rash driving
and follow road discipline to prevent accidents. “There should be a good
road culture. Unfortunately, we see road accidents and traffic
violations on the one side and pavements/platforms being occupied by
shops on the other. If road accidents have to be averted, we all have to
follow the rules and also wear helmet while driving two-wheelers,” he
said.

Mayor V. V. Rajan Chellappa, who flagged off the rally, appealed to motorists to practise self-regulation.

A.
Madhavan, senior interventional cardiologist, Apollo Speciality
Hospitals, said that human body was like a temple and it should have
only natural death. “Loss of life in an accident puts the family in
misery. Remember always that your family members are depending on you,”
he told the youngsters.