Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | Friday Review | Young World | Property Plus | Quest | Folio |

For a better tomorrow

Three aspects of the place need immediate attention

PHOTO: T. SINGARAVELOU

IN A STATE OF NEGLECT The Grand Canal

I like Puducherry. Like many from India and abroad, I have chosen to live here. I usually write about the attractive aspects of the place. But not this week. There are three things here I wish we could improve in 2007.

Congested roads

The traffic on the Puducherry roads is becoming chaotic, leading to several accidents. In fact, I have witnessed many in the Boulevard Town this past year.

There is no point in going on about this problem. Some say it will be addressed in the new Five-Year Plan, the process for which begins next year. I don't know how many more will be injured in the meantime.

Another pressing problem here is mosquitoes. Drain spare tyres and empty flower pots at home to keep mosquitoes away, say some. Drain the Big Canal and other places in the city where there is stagnant water, say others.

Both are right. Individuals can do the former. Only community action can accomplish the latter.

The Canal strip

The Grand Canal was perhaps grand long ago, but now it is in a pathetic state. It has long since ceased to serve the purpose for which it was built: to drain and cool the town. It's now an open sewer in some places, a closed one elsewhere, a public toilet and a source of stench.

The entire 1.5 km length of the canal is a breeding ground for mosquitoes, which spread several diseases. And to think the canal is in the centre of the historic part of the town!

What can be done about the canal, particularly the stretch that branches off from J. N. Street on either direction? Over the years, proposals have been forwarded for the improvement of this area, but to no avail. The town seriously needs to think about cleaning up the canal, may be by draining and spraying/fogging, especially if it wants to attract more tourists.

Stray dogs

Nobody said the world is just. Take the case of dogs here. On the one side, there are the pets, which are well fed, groomed and de-wormed. On the other, there are the street dogs, a sad lot.

They breed puppies that are mangy and injured (crushed is the right word) by the passing vehicles. They seek out people, only to have stones thrown at them.

Residents too have their share of woes. Street dogs dirty the streets and their brawls can disturb the entire neighbourhood. Some people are afraid of them, especially at night.

I am told the street dogs can be picked up by the local authorities if the residents register a complaint. What happens to these dogs?

There are agencies which tranquillise and neuter them, and release them back on the streets. Then there would be no unwanted pups and their role as scavengers will continue.

Hope these issues are addressed to make 2007 a better year.

PETER RICHARDS

yourpondy@yahoo.com

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