The Times of india  26.08.2010

CHENNAI: Applicants for visa to the US standing in sweltering heat or rain on the footpaths along the consulate near Anna flyover may be a thing of the past. Mayor M Subramanian on Wednesday held talks with US consul general Andrew T Simkin and chief of consular services Bryan W Dalton regarding provision of shelter to visiting applicants.

Subramanian, who visited the consulate along with senior Chennai Corporation including commissioner Rajesh Lakhoni, told TOI, "The consulate officials were told about the necessity to provide shelter to the visiting applicants, who brave the heat and rain. More than 800 people from Tamil Nadu and the neighbouring states visit the consulate everyday for getting visas. They need better facilities." This is the first time the local body has held talks with the US consultate for such a facility.

In fact, the civic officials prepared a blueprint for the project, which includes a long stainless steel shelter with adequate number of seaters on the lines of modernised bus shelters the corporation has built in the recent times on Kamarajar Salai.

"But the consul officials suggested something like a automatic roller shelter, which can be rolled up when not required," Subramanian said. It has been decided to widen the footpath by another metre on Anna Salai by shifting the lamp posts near Anna flyover, he said.