Civic body delays road-relaying, shops down shutters in protest

A year ago, the six kilometre stretch from Four Road to Surampatty Valasu was dug up to lay underground drainage. The road was not re-laid until now, despite traders and residents raising the issue on multiple occasions. 

Everytime a vehicle crossed the road, the air was filled with dust. Shopkeepers claimed that due to bad road their business was affected as the dust settled down in their shop and goods was up for sale. The residents too were also forced to keep their doors and windows shut to prevent dust from entering their houses. 

As repeated representations failed to evoke any action from officials, six months ago, the traders gathered and organised a march to Erode Corporation office. Following this, the civic body dumped crusher sand on the stretch but discontinued the work. 

This half-baked work triggered more trouble for traders and residents as they began to suffer from health issues after inhaling the air filled with dust. 

The traders on Monday announced a protest and issued notices in this regard. Following this, the Corporation Zonal Assistant Commissioners Vijaya and Ashok Kumar attempted to pacify the traders from going ahead with their agitation.

The officials told traders that funds were allocated and tenders will be called for soon for road re-laying works. However, the protesters were not convinced and staged their protest as per the schedule on Tuesday. 

More than 1000 shops, including hotels, bakeries, grocery stores, meat stalls were shut, starting from Surampatti Four Road to Surampatti Valasu.

The traders who gathered at Surampatty Valasu Road with a face mask raised slogans against the civic body for the delay in completing the road works.