The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Traffic snarls, a daily problem in Theni

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Sunday, Feb 10, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Traffic snarls, a daily problem in Theni

K. Raju

Haphazard parking, violation of rules are the main factors causing congestion on two highways

— Photo: G. Karthikeyan

Out of gear: Loading and unloading of goods, haphazard parking of vehicles on Theni-Dindigul highway causing problems.

THENI: Persisting traffic congestion on Theni-Dindigul and Theni-Madurai highways in the town has been causing a lot of inconvenience to residents here, thanks to the inaction of the police and rampant violation of traffic rules.

While lorries and bullock carts occupy Dindigul-Theni highway, mini-buses and auto-rickshaws encroach Madurai-Theni highway paralysing traffic every day.

The sharp increase in the number of vehicles, loading and unloading of goods from lorries and carts, haphazard parking of mini-buses, rampant traffic violations by auto-rickshaws and lorry operators have contributed much to the worsening traffic snarls. Worst affected is the Theni-Dindigul highway. Commuters take at least 30 to 45 minutes to cross half a km distance between Theni bus stand and police station. The situation will be worse during shandy days. All buses proceeding to Cumbum, Kumuli, Bodi and Kerala have to cross this stretch only.

Parking of lorries and bullock carts on the road for loading and unloading is a common sight. With no proper parking area, mini-bus operators stop their vehicles at will, often on the middle of the road, for passengers to alight and board, blocking traffic. Street vendors too occupy the roadsides considerably. Hundreds of traders have godowns on this road. Neither the police nor the district administration takes concrete steps to ease traffic congestion on both these highways.

Persistent problem

“It is a persistent problem. Lorry operators and auto drivers conveniently flout all traffic rules. But they are not even reprimanded,” said a commuter.

The delay in shifting of the main bus stand to the outskirts and street lights are other vital factors for traffic jam. A proposed over bridge near the Pethatchi Vinayagar Temple has been kept in abeyance, thanks to protests from traders. Funds sanctioned for it have been returned. Already, a site for the new bus stand was identified on forest road. But the Forest Department has not cleared the project so far. Another site on Dindigul-Theni highway near a warehouse was identified. The Theni municipality too gave its consent.

Imposing a total ban on entry of lorries, strict enforcement traffic rules, shifting of shandies and godowns from the town and creation of more parking bays for autos and mini-buses alone would ease traffic congestion.

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