The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Mini bus services

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Aug 21, 2007
ePaper

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Mini bus services

Mini bus services to rural areas are a boon to the villagers. However, since the terminus for these buses is situated away from from Chatram bus stand, passengers waiting there to go to villages such as Kambarasampettai and Mutharasanallur are forced to board crowded town buses. I request the authorities to allow mini buses into the bus stand, at least for a while to off-load and pick up passengers.

K. S. Gopalarathnam,

Kambarasampettai

At the signal

One can witness many traffic violations at the signal near railway junction. The traffic police allow vehicles to proceed when there is still 15 seconds or so for the green signal. Many a times this leads to traffic jam on the railway bridge. While coming from Viralimalai Road, against the rule, the police allow free left turn thus hampering the movement of vehicles from Mannarpuram side. Even though there is a divider on the road from Mannarpuram side, vehicles are allowed to take the wrong side to enter the bridge

V. Ramaprasad,

Tiruchi

Dry taps at station

During my recent visit to Srirangam, I was appalled to find water taps in the railway station dry. I was waiting to board Chennai- bound Guruvayur Express. Since my eight-year-old-daughter had to urgently attend to nature’s call, the two bottles of mineral water that we had bought came handy.

I learnt that water would be made available during the evenings only when the Rockfort Express leaves. I fail to understand how basic amenities could not be provided at such a famous pilgrim centre. The irony is the island-town had abundant water flowing in both the Cauvery and Kollidam.

V. Rajagopalan,

Chennai

Slower trains

Chennai-Mangalore Express takes 45 minutes and 30 minutes more on the onward and return journeys respectively between Tiruchi and Mangalore than the old train (No. 6867), which was operated from Tiruchi.

Similarly, Mayiladuthurai-Tirunelveli passenger takes 3 hours and 50 minutes to reach Madurai from Tiruchi, and four hours in the return direction. But the Villupuram-Madurai passenger takes 7 hours and 30 minutes to reach Madurai from Tiruchi and 7 hours and 5 minutes in the return direction. It is a wonder why people are silently suffering?

C. Ramalingam,

Tiruchi

Vegetable market

It is commendable that the Tiruchi Municipal Corporation has constructed a spacious vegetable market at a considerable cost in East Adayavalanjan Street, Srirangam. However, the market is yet to see the light of the day though nearly an year has passed. Consequently, traders and consumers are put to lot of inconvenience as they are exposed to hot sun and rain in Chithra streets, where the market is now functioning. It is hoped that the corporation will inaugurate the market at the earliest. It would also relieve traffic congestion on Chitra Streets.

It would be helpful if a similar market for flower traders is constructed on the northern side of the same street by removing encroachments. Presently, the flower market is functioning on Sathara Veedhi, a residential street.

Gannesan,

Srirangam

Titanium dioxide project

This refers to the news items on titanium dioxide project (The Hindu, August 15). Tata Steels’ Managing Director B. Muthuraman had stated that they required “large tracts of land and “natural limitations like owner ship issue, common titles, fluctuating price could be solved only with Government help ” and the 10,000-acre land in Tirunelveli and Tuticorin districts “are not cultivable.” Only a few days back the Chief Minister had issued a statement that the Tata group should deal directly with land owners. Conducting public hearings on this proposed project is an eye wash and farce.

Mining industry, besides harmful to the public health and mine workers, is highly polluting and requires large quantities of water. I appeal to the Central and Tamil Nadu governments to reject the project proposal for the common good.

P. S. Subrahmanian,

Srirangam

Our Chief Minister’s anguish over Tata’s Titanium Dioxide project being shelved is rather unfounded. As an Environment Consultant, I am relieved that good sense prevailed at last, since a similar plant at Thiruvananthapuram is found to be the source of insurmountable pollution problems till date.

Besides, with the advent of the Rs.1-lakh car, annually 6000 tonnes of poisonous carbon monoxide will fill the air. Let us start protecting our citizens first.

T. M. Renganathan,

Srirangam

Drop-box

The State Bank of India has opened an ATM centre at Ordnance Factory premises recently. There are a lot of people residing in and around Ordnance factory who are using SBI credit card. They have to either use HAPP branch of State Bank of Travancore or come to the city to drop the cheques for the credit card. It a drop-box is installed at the ATM centre, it will be of use to card users residing at Ordnance factory area.

G. Rajesh Gopal,

Tiruchi

Make it toll-free

Directory enquiry call on 197 of BSNL was originally toll-free and is now metered and charged for. Considering the fact that the telephone directory could not be updated periodically due to deletions, alterations and additions till the time of next issue and thus accuracy of entries cannot be guaranteed all the time, it is essential to render this service toll-free.

K. Srinivasan,

Tiruchi

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

Tamil Nadu