Residents of congested Royapuram are battling the encroachment of pavements by broken down automobiles and shops and uncollected garbage, despite the instructions of senior officials of the corporation that anti-encroachment drives should be carried out regularly.
The encroachments on the footpath on the busy S.N. Chetty Road not only causes hardships to pedestrians but also forces school chidlren to walk on the roads, resulting in them being hit by moving vehicles oten. Residents of the area accuse the corporation of dereliction of duty as regular inspection is not carried out.
“This place used to be a heaven in the 1970s. I understand that the growing population would put pressure on the infrastruucture, but fail to see why the pavements are not being given enough importance. Every day new shops come up.
The authorities do not care to visit the spot despite the presence of several schools there,” said G. Palani, an octogenarian.
The encroachments have left the students without walking space and they dart across the road mindlessly.
“The pavements are not fit for use. Other than being encroached upon, many have developed wide cracks that are dangerous. I hope the encroachments are cleared and new footpaths are laid,” said M. Vijayakumar, a resident.