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.