How can residents own pavements?
The corporation is laying new pavements in many parts of the city
Chennai: “At several places the corporation had removed all the green and placed the rocky granite blocks all over, killing the greenery. The money spent here can be used effectively in places where the people are desperately in need of roads,” E. Muralidharan, a walker in Boat Club area, adding that residents would fight legally to sort out the issue.
However, contrary opinions are also voiced on the issue where residents say the pavements are meant only for pedestrians to walk. “There are instances when the security guards shout at pedestrians who accidentally step on the grass. The residents must realise that pavements are meant for public use and no house owner can posses any part of public property,” says RTI activist and a resident of Chamiers road R. Natarajan.
Ward councilor P. Usha said that the matter was under negotiation with the residents. “It is good to have new pavements here but there are mixed opinions must residents. This comes under the Rs 40 lakh worth pavement scheme covering my ward,” she said.
The corporation is laying new pavements in many parts of the city, but is encountering a peculiar problem in this particular pocket of the city. “Suggestions from the contractors and other officials must also be taken into consideration before coming out with the decision,” said a corporation engineer.