The Federation of Civic and Welfare Association of Pallavaram (FCWAP) has requested the officials of Pallavapuram Municipality and the State Highways Department to remove encroachments on three arterial roads in Chromepet.

Grand Southern Trunk Road, Rajendra Prasad Road and CLC Works Road in Chromepet are lined with many commercial establishments. On Rajendra Prasad Road, encroachments have eaten into the walkers’ pathway and the space abutting the walkers pathway is used as a parking lot. On the opposite lane towards Chitlapakkam Main Road, Nehru Nagar, it is common to see cars and vans parked on the walkers’ pathway, thereby reducing the road space considerably. Only at a few spots on the stretch, pedestrians can use pavements. In addition to unauthorised parking of vehicles, dustbins are placed on CLC Works Road and the space abutting the bins is strewn with garbage.

V. Santhanam, president, FCWAP, says, “In the absence of a dedicated parking lot by commercial establishments, customers park their vehicles haphazardly on the arterial roads, hindering the free flow of traffic. As a result, there is little space for pedestrians and they are forced to share space with motorists on the carriageway.”

A Pallavapuram Municipality official says, “We have received complaints from residents. Steps are being taken to assess the commercial establishments that have encroached upon beyond the allotted space. Action will be taken against owners of such establishments.”