Encroachments cleared outside Egmore maternity hospital after CM Vijay’s surprise inspection

CHENNAI: Days after Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay made a surprise inspection at the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (IOG) and Government Hospital for Women and Children at Egmore, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC), along with the police, on Saturday, removed encroachments from the non-vending zone on Pantheon Road in front of the hospital.

According to the civic body, the enforcement drive was carried out in Ward 61 of the Royapuram Zone to clear footpath encroachments that had been obstructing pedestrian movement in the designated non-vending zone.

As part of the operation, officials removed two bunk shops, one sugarcane juice stall and three pushcarts from the stretch outside the maternity hospital. The GCC said that four more shops in the locality have been served notices and directed to relocate to the designated vending zone within five days. It warned that if the shopkeepers fail to comply within the stipulated period, the Corporation will remove the remaining encroachments.

The action comes in the wake of the Chief Minister’s surprise visit to the GH on July 8, during which he reviewed the functioning of the healthcare facility and interacted with patients and staff. The clearance drive is expected to improve pedestrian access and ease movement outside the busy hospital premises.