Shops encroach pedestrian pathway on Jeyaraj Road despite warnings

Shops encroach pedestrian pathway on Jeyaraj Road despite warnings

While the Thoothukudi Corporation has been implementing several measures to push for pedestrian-friendly city roads, Jeyaraj Road near the Thoothukudi Corporation Office is grappling with encroachment on the pedestrian pathway.

Following complaints of encroachments by the street vendors on the pedestrian pathway at several stretches, Thoothukudi Corporation has identified around nine locations in the city and allocated them for street vendors, around one and half years ago.

However, on Jeyaraj Road, apart from street vendors, wholesale grocery shops occupy the pedestrian space by displaying commodities outside their shops.

Ashokan, a resident of Toovipuram said, “The commodities kept for sale occupying the pedestrian way at Jeyaraj Road is a common sight, adding the necessary measures must be taken to prevent such encroachment.”

He noted, while the encroachment by street vendors on pedestrian pathways and carriageways have been diminishing, Corporation authorities must also conduct periodic inspections to prevent encroachment by shops.

Another resident expressed concern over parking of four wheelers and two-wheelers on both sides of the road connecting Old Bus Stand and Jeyaraj Road, causing disturbance to pedestrians. He said that foul smell emanating from the public urinal is also a major disturbance on the road, and the Corporation must take necessary steps to address the issue.