Independent legislator G. Nehru has come out strongly against the crackdown on two-wheeler riders not wearing helmets while leaving many other traffic hazards unaddressed.
In a statement, Mr. Nehru condemned the imposition of fines on those not wearing helmets without taking concerted action to control the traffic congestion in Puducherry. He also put forth several remedial suggestions to the Lieutenant Governor and the Chief Minister of Puducherry.
Pointing out that traffic congestion was a daily occurrence in the city, neither the traffic police nor the transport department and the public works department have taken action to set right the issue. The lack of measures to address the lacunae in enforcing traffic regulation was also causing accidents and loss of lives, he alleged.
He pointed out that government departments like the electricity, public works, local administration departments were digging up roads, laying electric cables and water pipes and abandoning them. These roads, then, were turning into accident hotspots for motorists.
Under the guise of repairing such roads, the concerned departments instead of making the road surface even, were rendering them with elevations and potholes.
Pedestrians are forced to walk on the roads as footpaths are occupied by shopkeepers while at several places billboards obstruct traffic, Mr. Nehru said.
The MLA said it was condemnable that not a single policeman was posted at the railway gate near the court where traffic snarls and quarrels between vehicle users erupted frequently.
He also pointed to the severe traffic congestion during festivals, weddings and weekends, a major annoyance for the local residents. The stretches including, Kamaraj Salai, Anna Salai, Pussy Road, SV Patel Salai, Nehru Road, Thiruvalluvar Salai and especially the Kokku Park ECR Salai junction, Indira Gandhi Square, Rajiv Gandhi Square and Marapalam, remain clogged at these times. The police should take steps to deploy adequate number of personnel in the above locations to prevent congestion, he said.
He also urged the police to work with the administrations of wedding halls, star hotels and cinemas for chalking out measures to avoid traffic congestion while also drawing attention to the dumping of construction materials, construction waste, garbage and garbage bins on public roads.
Mr. Nehru suggested designing a mobile app to help the public quickly contact traffic police in case of accidents or other issues.
Published – February 07, 2025 09:56 pm IST