Date:30/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/30/stories/2008053059680300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Encroachments removed

Staff Reporter

Police protection provided in Thiruvanmiyur

— Photo: N. Sridharan

DRIVE ON: Encroachments being demolished by Chennai Corporation workers on South Mada Street, Thiruvanmiyur, on Thursday.

CHENNAI: The Chennai Corporation on Thursday removed encroachments on South Mada Street and 1st Seaward Road, which lead to Valmiki Nagar, as part of its efforts to ease vehicular movement in residential areas of Thiruvanmiyur.

A total of 80 staff of the civic body, three earth-movers and five lorries were pressed into service to remove encroachments by 35 houses and 15 commercial establishments. Police protection was provided for the operation and traffic on the stretches was blocked for sometime.

South Mada Street is 80 feet wide on one end connecting to East Coast Road and 52 feet on the other end that leads to Valmiki Nagar. The houses and shops encroached upon about 4 to 5 feet of the road, which is lined with trees.

Road-widening work at an estimated cost of Rs.20 lakh would be taken up and completed within 15 days.

Zonal Officer M. Sampath said a survey on the encroachments on another stretch in Thiruvanmiyur, East Mada Street, was in progress.

The decision to widen the roads was taken nearly three months ago, he added.

Corporation officials said that there was a proposal to construct a subway-cum-flyover at the Jayanthi Theatre junction and at the time of the construction these roads would be utilised to divert traffic.