Date:21/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/21/stories/2008072157490200.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Please remove encroachments! readers react

Sir Footpaths at Abids, BasheerBagh, Sultan Bazar, Koti are encroached. These shops cause inconvenience to pedestrians. Please remove the encroachments. Impose stiff penalties for encroaching pavements. This will h

elp reduce traffic problems.

Azhar

Dear Azhar,

We are tightening our efforts against encroachers along with the GHMC.

The major problem has been of the two wheelers in hundreds lined up on the footpaths in King Koti. We are now seizing them and producing them in the Courts.

Similarly, the other encroachers will be photographed and booked. The habitual offenders will also be produced before the Court. Lanes and zebra crossings are already being marked by the GHMC

Sir, Most people driving vehicles use high beam during nights. Due to this many accidents occurred recently. I am also one of the victims of this phenomenon. I request you to solve this problem

Sri Harsha

Dear Harsha

Both Traffic Police and Transport Department have been putting out notices to use dipper for low beam at night.

You may notice some of our traffic barricades having this message with the picture of a van and the slogan "Always drive with low beam at night". I have written earlier that not dipping the light is an offence as per Rule 106 of the Central M.V.Rules, 1989.

Sir, The zebra lines are intended for pedestrian crossing. Whenever the traffic signal turns red, vehicles suddenly apply brakes and stop on the zebra crossing. This may be noticed at Khairathabad –Somajiguda-

Pujagutta- one of the busiest junctions. Can something be done to ensure pedestrians safety?

R. Ramachandra Rao,

Vidyanagar

Dear Rao,

We are constantly advising and booking drivers crossing the stop line and blocking the zebra crossing. We are even taking photos of such violators.

Sir One of my cousins happened to park at the ’Tanisq’ showroom in Panjagutta. His car was locked and only released after payment of Rs. 200. While I am indeed happy that our idea of locking the vehicle

and not towing has been implemented, a few suggestions that could be incorporated to enhance the system. 1. There should be a large sticker on the windscreen of the car stating that the vehicle is locked and also details with phone number as to who should be contacted for release of the vehicle. This will ensure that the vehicle is not damaged. 2. The licence of the retailer needs to be cancelled if certain number of such cases is reported outside the shop. This will ensure that the retailer who is at fault for not providing adequate parking gets penalised. Presently only the vehicle owner gets penalised and the actual shop owner gets away scot-free.

Kanthi Kannan,

Karol Bagh Colony Dear Madam,

Officers putting the wheel clamps have been issued specially designed stickers with counterfoils giving the information regarding the P.S. and the name of the S.I. with his mobile number.

If it is not stuck on the windscreen, the nearest P.S. should be contacted.

The idea of blacklisting business establishments where wrong parking is occurring is good.

It happens on account of one or more factors like insufficient parking space, inadequate guides employed by them or lack of proper directional boards pointing towards the parking.