CHENNAI: After their repeated complaints about long-pending civic issues affecting daily life, safety and free movement in the locality falling on deaf years, the residents of MRC Nagar approached the Madras High Court seeking a direction to the authorities to resolve the issues.
SK Nawaz, honorary secretary, MRC Nagar Residents’ Welfare Association, filed a public interest litigation petition before the court, submitting that MRC Nagar and surrounding streets, including MRC Nagar Main Road, South Beach Avenue, Janaki Avenue and Satyadev Avenue, have been facing persistent public nuisance, traffic congestion, obstruction of public roads, encroachments on pavements, and severe sanitation issues for several years.
The petitioner said these issues have significantly affected residents, including senior citizens, children, women and persons with disabilities. He also pointed out that the congestion and obstructions were making it difficult for ambulances to reach the multi-speciality hospital on Thandavarayan Street during emergencies.
According to the plea, the nuisance and obstruction are primarily caused by the unchecked and unregulated activities of multiple establishments, unauthorised commercial eateries, and street vendors operating around the Sri Ayyappan Temple on the street.
Vehicles belonging to employees, visitors, vendors and others are allegedly parked on both sides of narrow residential roads such as Janaki Avenue and MRC Nagar Main Road, which has reduced the carriageway to a single lane, resulting in frequent congestion.
The petitioner also submitted that a representation made on December 2 seeking removal of encroachments on MRC Nagar Main Road had not been acted upon by the authorities.
When the matter was heard, a division bench comprising Chief Justice SA Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan directed the Greater Chennai Corporation and the Commissioner of Police to file their responses. The case was adjourned for further hearing.