The Hindu            04.12.2013

Space beneath bridges to be beautified

The Tiruchirapalli City Corporation has finally decided
to spruce up open spaces beneath the bridges that have come to be
occupied by encroachers or used as garbage dump.

As a
first step, the civic body has started building concrete parapet on two
sides of the public space under the Thennur bridge and planned to raise
a small garden at the space.

Soon after opening the
bridges about a decade ago, the civic administrators had announced that
the open space under the bridges would be put to good use as parking lot
or public parks. But years have passed by without any initiative in
this direction.

The space under the bridges,
especially at Palakkarai and Thennur, presented a picture of squalor and
neglect. Various stretches became convenient dumping ground for
building debris and garbage. The space under the bridges on Thennur High
Road, the Heber Road, and the Madurai High Road has been encroached
upon by vendors and traders. Truck and goods van operators find it a
convenient to park their vehicles. At a few places, the pillars of the
bridges have become supporting structures for sheds. The space under the
bridge around the Ramakrishna cinema corner near Thennur had been
converted into an open garbage dump and open air toilet.

The
dingy corners beneath the bridges, especially near the Thennur and
Palakkarai railway crossings, have become refuges of anti-social
elements, local residents have been complaining.

Corporation
officials said the construction of the parapet would help prevent
encroachments. “We have taken up the work at a cost of Rs. 20 lakh. Once
the concrete structure is ready, we will raise a garden in the area and
provide lighting. We are taking up the work on a pilot basis. Depending
on its success, we will take up similar initiatives at open spaces
under the other bridges,” Corporation Commissioner V.P. Thandapani told
The Hindu
.

Sakunthala Srinivasan, a resident of Anna Nagar,
and president, Tiruchi Payaneetalar Iyakkam, who has long been
complaining about the security issues arising out of the movement of
anti-social elements beneath the bridge at Thennur, welcomed the
initiative. “We hope the Corporation move will make the place more
secure and cleaner,” she said.