The Udhagamandalam Municipal Council, which met here on Thursday with the Chairman, R. Rajendran, presiding over it, decided to initiate steps forthwith to make the local municipal market consumer-friendly.

The decision followed a debate on a letter written by a local advocate N. Narayanan Kutty in his capacity as a citizen of this hill station.

While referring to certain shortcomings in the market, the letter addressed to the Chairman, the Nilgiris Collector and the Superintendent of Police pointed out inter alia that though it has been designed to facilitate only the movement of pedestrians, two-wheelers belonging to some of the traders were freely moving inside with scant regard to the safety of people.

The boxes attached to the rear of the two-wheelers pose a serious threat to the pedestrians in general and children in particular.

Pointing out that most of the vacant space has been occupied by encroachers, he regretted that the authorities concerned are turning a blind eye to this serious violation of rules.

Underscoring the need to set right matters and post police personnel who are capable of keeping at bay the anti-social elements who are flouting the rules, he said that if a reply was not given within 30 days, he would be forced to file a Public Interest Litigation.

Stating that due importance would be given to the grievances of the public which had been highlighted in the letter, Mr. Rajendran said that remedial measures would be taken without delay.

The Vice-Chairman, J. Ravikumar (DMK), said that action should be taken to remove encroachments without bias.

Responding to complaints relating to distribution of water, the Chairman said that there was sufficient water in most of the reservoirs, particularly the Parsons Valley Hydel Reservoir.

In protest against the delay in taking up development works in their wards, a few councillors, including Sampath (Independent),Vinodha (Congress) and Ravi (DMK), sat on the floor. Mr. Vishwanath (DMDK) said that the increasing number of potholes in Bombay Castle area was a source of concern.

The Chairman said that a sum of Rs. 1 crore would be sought from the general fund of the municipality to take up urgent works in all the wards. He added that the contract given to a private agency for maintaining streetlights here will not be renewed.

Following a heated exchange of words with Imtiaz (AIADMK) over what kind of issues should figure in the council meetings, all the DMK members, including the Vice-Chairman staged a walk out.