Dindigul
The stretches of West Car Street and North Car Street in the heart of Dindigul town have become a nightmare for motorists. The reason is that trucks literally block these streets even during peak hours. The narrow streets are already encroached upon by road-side vendors and haphazard two-wheelers parked on the sides, reducing the carriage space. On top of it, trucks and lorries enter these streets to load and unload consignment, leaving no space for other vehicles.
“Long traffic snarls are common in these streets. The worst part is government and private buses plying to Palani and Vedasandur pass through these streets. Imagine trucks and buses jostling for space on a 20-feet narrow street. Once a container lorry was brought in and there was a terrible traffic jam that lasted for nearly half an hour,” said S. Chinnadurai, an office-goer taking the route daily.
Though most of the wholesale godowns and sheds are located in these streets, traffic caused by trucks can be better regulated, feel motorists. The police have put up notice board in at least 10 places announcing that trucks should not enter the city area between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.
However, trucks do not follow the rules as many of them can be seen flouting the timings, say shopkeepers and road-users. A strict enforcement is needed on the part of the police, they say.
“Also in areas like Vanivilasmedu on Palani Road, trucks can be seen parked along the sides in an unregulated manner. They may lie parked there even during peak hour traffic, making it difficult for other vehicles to move without any hassles. Earlier, there was a corporation-run lorry shed which was closed for reasons not known. Now, there are private parking for lorries, but since they charge more money, the truck drivers park on the roads as per their whims and fancies,” says A. Sivalingam, a motorist.
However, the traffic police say that trucks are being regulated as per the timings. “We have also been charging hefty fines for dangerous driving and permit violation apart from charges of entering the city area during the period closed to lorry traffic and for obstructing other vehicle movement. We charge them up to ₹ 2,500 so that it deters them from flouting the rules. The action will be tightened up further,” said an official from the traffic wing.