The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Removing blocks for safe roads

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jan 07, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Removing blocks for safe roads

P. Oppili

Youth Task Force is launching a campaign

RISKY IMPROVISATION: Stone blocks pose a traffic hazard on Thyagaraya Road near Pondy Bazaar. — PHOTO: K. Pichumani

CHENNAI: The practice of using stone blocks as road dividers may soon be passé as part of a Corporation-initiated road safety campaign in the city.

Activists say stone blocks are used as road dividers on at least 25 busy stretches in the city. In a bid cross the roads, many motorists remove them to create space for their vehicles. The blocks thus removed lie haphazard, proving a hindrance to other vehicle users and sometimes causing fatal accidents too.

Youth Task Force, a voluntary organisation, is launching a campaign with the support of the Corporation to remove the blocks. The group will begin work at T.Nagar on Sunday, and Corporation officials, including Commissioner Rajesh Lakhoni, are expected to participate.

Television artist S. Suresh, who heads Youth Task Force, says some blocks lie close to the pavements too, posing a threat to pedestrians.

The campaign will draft student volunteers from city colleges. "Five colleges have agreed to send 10 students each, and we plan to approach more colleges soon," says Mr. Suresh. A section of Rotarians is also supporting the project.

"As the number of students using two-wheelers to travel to college is on the rise, I have decided to involve them in the campaign," says Mr. Suresh. Those who wish to volunteer can contact 65133133 or log on to the website: www.driversday.org

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