Date:18/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/18/stories/2008121857100300.htm

Tamil Nadu

Highways officials remove encroachments in Theni

Staff Reporter

Sudden drive hits business activities, say traders, residents

THENI: Amid tight security, officials of the Department of Highways have started removing encroachments in Theni Allinagaram municipal limits here on Wednesday.

To begin with, all protruding thatched shelters in front of shops, houses and business establishments and signboards and temporary structures that encroached Theni-Periakulam and Theni-Madurai highways were removed.

Even petty shops on platforms were also removed.

While the officials started removing encroachments in front of houses and shops, local residents and traders removed all unauthorised structures like shelters, banners and sign boards on their own.

Encroachments around the Theni Central bus stand were also removed.

The drive would continue in the days to come. Such action would ease traffic congestion on the busy Madurai and Periakulam roads, according to officials. Platforms were heavily encroached by petty shops.

Even as the local people, traders and shop keepers extended cooperation with officials, they expressed their disgust that sudden and surprise eviction drive hit their routine life and affected day-to-day business activities.

“If officials informed about the eviction earlier, we will make alternate arrangements,” traders deplored.