Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Reader's Mail

Consult TNEB, BSNL before digging

A private telecom company has launched a massive programme of laying cables, installation of blue colour distribution box etc. in all areas of Chennai. Their contract team comes in when the darkness sets in and digs up the road on either side. While this process is on, they puncture the existing MES and telephone cables, not intentionally, and residents often have to do without power and telephone connection for 2/3 days. Two days ago in Ram Colony there was no power for a full day from morning to night. When I contacted the AE, K.K. Nagar division TNEB, he was kind enough to depute some personnel to look into the problem, who informed us that power cables had been punctured by Airtel. In spite of the manpower shortage, the AE made temporary arrangements to restore power supply yesterday.

The telecom company should consult the TNEB/BSNL officials before the digging starts, so that the damage to the existing lines is prevented. Power cable punctures can even cause electrocution, it should be remembered.

R. Ramanan,

West Mambalam

Violation of

traffic signals

We are glad to note that a traffic signal has been installed at officer's colony junction in Anna Nagar West Extension, in response to a long-pending demand made in the larger interest of the school going children.

We shall be very glad if police could arrest the tendency to neglect signals by two-wheelers and four-wheelers plying across the Bharat Petroleum bunk, which we see in the mornings and evenings. It is a serious offence to ignore the traffic signals put up for the safety of the general public. We also request the authorities concerned to control the strong smell of petrol emanating from the bunk, which is a health hazard to the children and the elderly.

K.V. Ramachandran,

Anna Nagar

A suggestion on road laying

This refers to the story about new roads in two months' time (The Hindu, 4-1-2006).

The Chennai Corporation's proposal to relay the 43-km of bus route roads, 82 arterial roads and 289 km of interior roads/streets within two months is a welcome one. However, the mechanical paving of roads must be allowed only after scrapping of existing bitumen layers, to maintain street levels of buildings and also to avoid inundation during the monsoon season.

Will the civic body consider this suggestion and help mitigate the sufferings of citizens.

K. Ramadoss,

Ayanavaram

Increase medical assistance

The Tamil Nadu State Government pensioners are at present covered by "Tamil Nadu Govt Pensioners' Health Fund". Under this scheme financial assistance of 75 per cent of the cost of treatment or Rs. 50,000 (whichever is less) is provided to pensioners for undergoing specialized treatment/surgery in approved private hospitals.

For this purpose each pensioner contributes Rs. 10 per month. The scheme introduced in 1995 is a self-sustaining scheme.

During these 10 years the cost of medical treatment has increased considerably. Hence the assistance may be increased to 90 per cent of the expenses or Rs. 1,00,000 whichever is less. To meet the increase in expenditure the subscription may be increased to Rs. 20 or even Rs. 30 per month. The pensioners will not object to this increase as their total emoluments have increased considerably during these 10 years. Further the scheme may be extended to family pensioners also. A large number of family pensioners at present are women and hence extension to family pensioners will benefit a large number of women.

R. Rajagopalan,

Puzthuthivakkam

Beggar menace

in trains

The nuisance created by beggars and unauthorised vendors has reached alarming proportions in the long-distance and suburban trains, nowadays. This problem has been going on unchecked for a long time. While the TTEs and Railway ticket squad are very prompt when it comes to checking tickets of the passengers, they turn a blind eye to these offenders who have become a big problem during peak and non-peak hours.

I request the officials concerned to come down strongly on beggars and vendors to curb this menace.

D. Natarajan,

Nanganallur

Cremation ground

in poor state

The cremation ground for Mettukuppam village under the limits of Maduravoyal Municipality is in a pathetic condition. It has become a dwelling place for pigs. Garbage is dumped in and around the ground. Eggshells, chicken and mutton wastes, polythene bags, water bottles are all dumped there.

There is a foul smell and it has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes as well. A proper compound wall has to be built and the ground must be maintained properly. Power connection is also a must for the area.

T. Manoharan,

Valasarawakkam

Subway in

pitiable state

In spite of several requests and a news item published in your newspaper, the condition of the subway at Tambaram Sanatorium railway station remains unchanged.

Added to this the water that is being pumped out flows into Chitlapakkam second main road damaging the road and creating lot of problems for the public. Will the authorities take necessary action?

S. Chandrasekaran,

Joint Secretary

Chitlapakkam Anna Nagar (West)

Residents Welfare Association

Speed-breakers or

nightmare?

On most of the roads in the city and the suburbs, the speed-breakers are laid in an unscientific and highly risky way.

These speed-breakers are put up in an irregular heap of blue metal with tar. Motorists are caught unawares because the speed-breakers are not marked properly, nor are there any signboards to warn the motorists.

The height of the speed-breakers results in damage to the undercarriage of both the two-wheelers and the cars.

Several two-wheeler drivers have skidded and fallen on the road on suddenly encountering the speed-breakers.

The speed-breakers should have slopes on both sides.

The authorities concerned should take up this matter seriously and issue orders to follow a scientific way of constructing speed-breakers with proper markings.

J. Manohar Singh

Adambakkam

Road dug up,

but not re-laid

In our locality in Mandaveli (V.K. Iyer Street/R.K. Mutt Road), the road was dug up and filled with red sand eight months ago when the drains were repaired.

Till date, the road has not been properly laid/topped.

Heavy vehicles using the stretch raise thick clouds of dust and smoke, which affects everyone in the area. We will be thankful if the authorities act promptly to re-lay or blacktop the stretch.

K. Vijayakumar,

Mandaveli

West Mambalam

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