Front Page

Relocation of hawkers opposed

Chennai: Residents of T. Nagar have opposed the Chennai Corporation’s move to relocate hawkers from Usman Road to the relatively quiet residential bylanes.

The flyover on the Usman road is close to completion and will be shortly opened for use. In order to facilitate traffic flow, hawkers and street vendors on Usman road have been asked to move to bylanes so that the road beneath the flyover could be re-laid. The Corporation has identified Ramanathan Street, Rangan Street, Sarojini Street, Motilal Street, Venkatesan Street, Pinajala Subramanaian Street and Mangesh Street and has marked separate lots to be allotted to the hawkers.

The residents’ association of Mangesh Street told The Hindu that they were not informed of the arrangement and came to know of the move only when corporation officials came to mark the lots for hawkers. The relocation would disturb their everyday life. The streets are narrow and cannot take any further traffic. The residents also state that this would spoil the residential nature of the area. The association has sent telegrams appealing to the Chief Minister to stop the relocation and plans to approach the court for relief.

When contacted, Rajesh Lakhoni, Chennai Corporation Commissioner, said the Corporation would ensure that this would not affect the residents and that a decision would be taken after consulting them.

The hawkers would be eventually accommodated in the commercial complex to be built in the Pondy Bazaar market, he said.

© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu