MRC Nagar may turn no-hawking zone soon

Chennai: Madras high court has directed Chennai corporation to consider declaring MRC Nagar in RA Puram as no-hawking zone in accordance with law.
When a PIL filed by Raghu Raman came up for hearing before the first bench comprising Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice M. Sundar on Wednesday, the bench directed “ the Commissioner, Corporation of Greater Chennai, and the Commissioner of Police, Greater Chennai City to take necessary action to remove unauthorized encroachments in MRC Nagar. Chennai Corporation may also consider the representation of the petitioner to declare the area as non-hawking zone. The decision shall be taken in accordance with law within two weeks from the date of communication of this order.”

In the petition, Raghu Raman, the resident in the area, said "lot of encroachments were set up in the area for the past few years in MRC Nagar.

The encroachers put up permanent structures in streets of Janaki Avenue, Sathyan Avenue near Ayyappan temple, Chettinad Vidyashram and other avenues. The food items sold in an unhygienic manner in eateries.

He made attempt to identify encroachments but encroachers opposed his move vehemently. Hence, he was not able to collect the names of the encroachers.

"The encroachments posing serious hindrance to the school children and as a result they were constrained to cross and walk on the road", he said. Alcoholic addicts take shelter in the area.

As authorities failed to response, he filed the petition praying for the removal of encroachments and to consider his representation to declare the area as non-hawking zone.