Pedestrians elbowed out of Greams road pavements in Chennai

CHENNAI: Greams Road has become a hot spot for hawkers, after NSC Bose Road, with pavements on both sides of the 1-km stretch completely occupied, leaving little space for pedestrians.
Most of the shops, selling everything from tender coconuts to water bottles and food, cater to visitors to the big hospital in the area. While heaps of tender coconuts and push carts selling sundry items occupy one side, eateries and tea shops displaying their menu to lure customers have grabbed the other side. In some places, the pavement is used as a parking lot for two-wheelers and four wheelers. The stretch, a key link between Anna Salai and College Road, is almost full of pedestrians, most of them visitors to the hospital. "They end up walking on the road as there is no space on the pavement, obstructing vehicle movement," said Kumaresan, a private firm employee who regularly uses the road.
The situation is worse during peak hours when potholes make it an ordeal for vehicles stuck in traffic snarls. Personnel at the Thousand Lights police station, located on the stretch, remain mute spectators to the chaos.
While Greater Chennai Corporation officers concerned did not respond despite repeated attempts by TOI, police officers admitted there were issues with both encroachments and traffic snarls. "Apart from the private hospital which has multiple special units, there is also an IT company on the stretch. When people working in both these places step out after the their shift, vehicle movement is affected. We have urged corporation officials to use the available empty space on the side of the Cooum as a paid parking lot, but no steps have been taken," said an officer on anonymity.
Residents and others in the area allege that some politicians let hawkers and shops to occupy the pavement after collecting 'mamool' from them.