Tamil Nadu

Traffic-friendly road

This is with reference to the news item ‘Wild flower attracts tourists to Ooty’ (May 7).

Of course the route via Hobard Road to Ooty is circuitous and a bit rickety, but one also comes across breathtaking scenes all along the way. If this road is made traffic-friendly, all the incoming vehicles could be diverted through this way during the rainy season as well.

P. U. Krishnan,

Udhagamandalm.

I am a senior citizen involved in many social activities. When the ward councillor of Devarshola Town Panchayat made an oral request to spare a small portion of my patta land to lay drainage for the panchayat road starting from my residence, I agreed to consider the request if a competent authority gave me a written undertaking to reconstruct the existing compound wall at the panchayat’s own cost and also extend the compound wall up to the stable green fencing area if I supplied bricks to the extending portion. Thereafter, I did not hear anything from the panchayat. On March 31 when I was alone in my house the councillor came with his men and materials and started destroying my fencing without informing me. However, I stopped the work. He later came to me with four persons and agreed to give an undertaking to reconstruct the wall and extend it to the other area also. But without giving the written undertaking and despite my vehement opposition he destroyed the fencing and demolished the compound wall. On April 1 I explained to the executive officer about the incident. He apologised to me and agreed to give me a written undertaking to make good of the loss as agreed by the councillor. But despite my persistent request, the executive officer has so far not done anything. I have complained to the town panchayat department higher authorities and the District Collector about the high-handed behaviour of the councillor but so far no action has been taken. I have lost about 1.5 cents of patta land worth Rs.75,000 according to the present market value and a compound wall and stable green fencing worth Rs. 30,000. I also feel unsafe in the house without a fencing.

C.R. Krishnan,

Gudalur.

Barring Ernakulam-Bangalore Intercity Express and Kurla Express there is no direct train connectivity from Coimbatore to Hosur/Dharmapuri. With a direct overnight service to Bangalore remaining a distant reality, the Kannur-Yeswantpur tri-weekly express train (6527/6528), which at present skips Coimbatore junction, should have stops both in Coimbatore and Tirupur. The time of arrival of this train in both directions will in no way affect the burgeoning traffic on the Salem- Coimbatore section. This will benefit people bound for Bangalore also.

Sriram Kumar. M.

Coimbatore.

There is a shortcut road from one temple town, Marudhamalai, to another temple town, Perur, through P.N. Pudur, L&T Colony, Veera Keralam and Panaimarathur. The volume of traffic here has increased considerably in recent months. The road from Veerakeralam to Panaimarathur is covered by thorny bushes that impede free flow of traffic.

D. Haemanthkumar Robert,

Avinashi Road.

On May 4 train number 2680 arrived on time on platform 3. Immediately pasengers waiting for train number 2679 rushed to platform 3 to board the train. The passengers on both directions found it difficult to reach their respective places because of goods piled up on the platform. The passengers, including me, started boarding coach C1 and maximum number of passengers accommodated themselves with their heavy luggages in the coach. Once the train started, many passengers moved to the coach C2 since the reservation charts of C1 and C2 were interchanged. After a few minutes all returned to their original coaches at the time of boarding. Once the ticket examiner started checking tickets, I asked about this confusion. He said he was aware of the confusion but no passenger was disturbed. I thank him for his immediate action and order. Suitable action should be taken against the staff who interchanged the charts of both the coaches. This is the second time of such interchange of charts in C1 and C2.

N.R. Ravisankar,

Vilankurichi.

Recently I and my family happened to travel in Jan Sadhapthi Express from Thanjavur to Tirupur. It was terrifying to see thousands of cockroaches entering our bags and food materials. It is said to be a superfast train and the fare of that train is higher. But a bare minimum neatness is not maintained in the train. Will the railway authorities take action to improve basic amenities for passangers?

John Sunsararaj. P,

Mettupalayam.

While the common man is put to a lot of hardships because of frequent power cuts, it is saddening to see street lights even on main roads burning in broad daylight. This is wastage of tax payers’ money. Let the authorities put their house in order first before doling out advice to the public.

K. Vasudevan,

Ramnagar.

The ban on plastics imposed by Coimbatore Corporation is welcome and long overdue. But there are many misconceptions in the public’s mind. People feel that only carry bags below 20 microns are banned. These bags were banned many years ago all over India. The Corporation’s present ban includes all single use plastic bags. The Corporation officials should make this fact clear through advertisements and public announcements. The public should support this ban by refusing to accept plastic bags.

A.P. Suresh,

A.T.T. Colony.

It is gratifying to note that Hindus and Muslims sat together and conducted prayers in the temple city of Madurai on Ramanavami Monday that coincided with the birth anniversary of Sai Baba of Shirdi. It is noteworthy that their modes of worship and religious practices were followed harmoniously. This is an epoch-making event. The dream of Gandhiji who crusaded all his life for religious unity is coming to fruition.

S. Venkatachalam,

Kavundampalaym.

A trend noticeable of late is the increasing longevity of citizens. The population of octogenarians and nonagenarians shows an upward trend. But not all of them lead a contented and peaceful life thanks to financial stresses and serious health problems. It is the duty of the government to lend them a helping hand. Those aged 80 and above should be given concession in long distance buses and trains. City and tour buses should give them free lift on production of proof of age. Autos and call taxis too should give concessions to them. All government hospitals should have a geriatric wing to give free treatment to the ailing elders. Private doctors and nursing homes should relax financial conditions in deserving cases. May the public help them to lead a life of tranquility in their twilight years.

M.R. Pillai,

Rupa Nagar.

This is with reference to the news ‘Spare time for country’ (May 6). On a bicycle, Sethupathi creates

awareness about freedom struggle. The 17-year-old boy had done a wonderful job which should be emulated by other students.

Vellingiri,

N.G.G.O. Colony. (Readers can mail to cbereaders@thehindu.co.in with address and phone number)

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