News Today 26.11.2013
Chennai City Corporations action plan
Chennai: Motorists
plying on various arterial roads in the city can soon heave a sigh of
relief with the civic body gearing up to roll out an action plan that is
intended at reducing smog along vital stretches across Chennai.
According to official sources, a slew of measures will be undertaken
under trail basis in key roads such as 100-Feet Bypass Road, Velacheri
and Velacheri-Tambaram Road.
An official says, ‘The surfaces of these busy stretches are subjected to
overuse thanks to surge in automobiles. The process of reducing sand
deposits along these roads have started on a trial basis to curb
pollution levels.’ As per the main plan, Chennai Corporation will
coordinate with various departments – Central Pollution Control Board
(CPCB), Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA), traffic
police, Chennai Metro water and transport department- to control air
pollution across the city.
According to experts, the accumulation of sand on roads exceed the
prescribed limit of Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM). Road
users travelling from southern suburbs like Tambaram, Seliayur and
Medavakkam feel that such a measure is the need of the hour to cut down
pollution levels.
Deepa Ramakrishnan, a motorist at Velacheri Tambaram Road, says,Problems
pertaining to respiratory problems is on the rise because of the smoke
emitted by vehicles. People at the pink of health are becoming
vulnerable to dust allergy and eye infection. It has become highly
impossible to drive without pollution masks or covering face with
handkerchief’.
The impenetrable smog in road sides can also lead to mishaps.
‘Two-wheelers are likely to skid while negotiating heavy traffic on 100
Feet Bypass Road ‘, says Thyagarajan, a motorist. ‘Less visibility amid
cloud of dust toughens driving on this road’, he adds.
However, these concerns of road users may become a thing of the past, if the action plan by the Corporation becomes a reality.