GCC removes encroachments by flower vendors on Sardar Patel Road

Chennai: Greater Chennai Corporation on Thursday removed unauthorized structures put up by flower vendors along Sardar Patel Road in Adyar, opposite Fortis Malar Hospital, following complaints that the encroachments, including thatched-roof structure on the service road, inconvenienced pedestrians.
A senior corporation official said the first encroachments came up a few years ago before spreading and eventually taking over the entire service lane.
The flower vendors originally put up stalls near the Fortis-Malar Hospital bus stop, but the parking of visitors's vehicles made it difficult for commuters to board and alight from MTC buses. It also affected flow of traffic. The civic body then built designated shop spaces near the old Adyar Bridge and allocated them to vendors.
Thursday's operation, prompted by mounting complaints from road users, removed 32 ‘shops'. Officials said that during the 3-hour-long operation, welding equipment was used to dismantle iron-supported structures and earthmovers deployed to remove the thatched sheets.
Typically, GCC issues notices before taking action against encroachments. In this case, officials said, immediate action was taken due to fears that the encroachments would pose a potential accident risk.
Residents of surrounding areas expressed relief following the removal of the ‘shops' but urged the corporation to ensure that encroachers do not reoccupy the service road. Similar encroachments, they said, continue to occupy public spaces, especially along pavements in Adyar, along Elliot's Beach, and in Thiruvanmiyur.