Eatery sealed for obstructing traffic

Chennai: A city restaurant found functioning without a licence and obstructing traffic on  busy Shanthi Colony Road was on Saturday sealed off by officials of Zone 8 – Anna Nagar, of the Chennai corporation. Officials say the move was part of the Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA) Act, which was passed in the Assembly, for better transportation system. Officials from the local body say the Act was passed in the Assembly in 2010 to ensure better utilisation of available infrastructure and resources for development. This involves a comprehensive transportation plan, addressing the planning and development of all mass transport modes and related infrastructure.

“In line with this effort, the Anna Nagar Zonal Office has started a process to identify shops that obstruct traffic. In the first phase, as many as 10 shops along Shanthi Colony Road were found to be obstructing traffic and pedestrian pathways. The establishments were also allowing customers to park their vehicles on the road,” says Anna Nagar Zonal Officer

Meanwhile, assistant revenue officer K.P. Bhanuchandran said: “The restaurant that was sealed on Saturday was functioning at a car-parking space earmarked for the nearby Housing Board Colony. The restaurant’s kitchen had also encroached upon a footpath. Also, it had functioning at the spot without a license for six months. Since the owner of the restaurant did not respond to notices, it was sealed.”But officials revealed that owner finally approached officials to formally apply for a license and assured them the encroachment would be cleared.