The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Reporter's Diary

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Dec 26, 2006
ePaper

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Reporter's Diary

Some basic things

The Metropolitan Transport Corporation would have introduced "Blue Line" and "Yellow Line" services in the city for the convenience of commuters, particularly in the suburbs. But some attention by officials to basic things such as timings, destination boards, lighting and the inside of the buses can be of more use to the public. On the sideboards of several buses, the destination mentioned does not have anything to do with the route displayed on the main board in the front.

The sideboards are fixed in some of the vehicles. Worse is the confusion, after the introduction of "M" series. On some other vehicles, there is no rear board at all. Can the timekeeper or the depot official not ensure that these basic requirements are fulfilled, a commuter was wondering at Anna Nagar the other day.

No traffic constable

Everyday, public in large numbers from far and near visit the office of the Commissioner of Police in the busy Egmore area to present their grievances. But it is a nightmarish experience for pedestrians and other road-users coming in vehicles to enter into the CoP's office, as it is impossible to cross the road during rush hours. Though there are two entrances to the Commissioner's office, only one gate is open for the public as the other gate is strictly meant for `superior' officers. Interestingly, a constable is posted at the office, but he stands only at the officers' gate manning the movement of officers' cars. If the constable is posted in front of the gate open to public, traffic congestion in front of the Commissionerate can be easily avoided. Also, mishaps can be averted.

The road-user may be aggressive, but the moment he spots a police car, he would not attempt to be rash, a road-user admitted.

The superior officers can try the idea, a regular visitor to the CoP's office opined.

Reservation centre

The Southern Railway's reservation centre at Chintamani, Anna Nagar is out of tune with all that is modern about passenger amenities in most other railway offices across the city. Railway users have often cited inconveniences and raised safety concerns about visiting this centre that functions from a grimy old building.

Visitors have to use the narrow stairway to reach the office on the second floor as there is no lift.

Parking space is grossly inadequate as well, especially taking into account the substantial population the centre is supposed to serve.

Joseph Tharian, a resident of Anna Nagar, suggests using a plot of vacant land under the Integral Coach Factory on 3rd Avenue, Anna Nagar, to build a new reservation centre.

The location is ideal and the solution a lasting one, he suggests.

(Contributions by K. T. Sangameswaran and L. Srikrishna)

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu