A common sight across many places in the city is construction material dumped on the road, leading to disruption of traffic that causes inconvenience to the public. The problem continues unchecked.

Sand, bricks, iron, cement bags, gravel, wooden logs and other essential items for construction activity for a house or business establishment are found encroaching upon road space, forcing vehicles to take alternative route or manoeuvre in the little space available.

Hardship

This causes hardship to the road users, particularly those on two-wheelers and pedestrians who could come to grief on the sand left on the road.

Though the civic body has already warned against such activities and levies a fine of Rs. 500 against violators, lack of implementation and monitoring has led to the practice being continued.

Members of residential welfare associations said that written consent should be obtained from the applicant when building permission is given, so that they could be fined or proceeded against for encroaching upon roads.

They also added that a few roads were closed for public use when construction activity is going on in a particular house, thus causing hardship to all.

“Already the roads are found to be a place for dumping garbage and debris, besides being damaged by underground drainage work. Encroachments by individuals should not be allowed,” added the members.

Warning

Corporation Commissioner M. Ashokan told The Hindu that all the Assistant Engineers and Junior Engineers have been instructed to take action against persons dumping construction materials on roads and warned them against dumping.

“Road space is not to store material and action would be taken according to law,” he added.

The civic body has also asked officials concerned to inspect areas under their jurisdiction and submit a report confirming that there are no such encroachments.

“If encroachments are found, action would be taken against the officer,” added a corporation official.

Some days ago, a Plus Two girl student, on her way to write an examination, was killed under the wheels of a tractor in Maravaneri as the vehicle — to avoid hitting a vehicle coming in the opposite direction — took a sharp left and hit the girl on her bicycle.

The road had narrowed due to the dumping of sand meant for house construction work.