The ‘lowdown’ on motorists’ safety in Chennai
The Hindu
Here is a run-through of a few low-lying medians in Chennai and what needs to be done to make them effective
Recently, residents of Thiruvengada Nagar highlighted the fact that the low-lying median on Cholambedu Main Road in Ambattur has been he cause of recurrent accidents, as motorists run into it at night. Along the length of the median, on both sides and at regular intervals, reflector studs have been stamped into the carriageway. Apparently, this safety measure is not sufficient. The median needs to wear two-sided yellow reflectors.
Stones that fill in for a stretch of the median on College Road in Egmore jut out and pose a threat to motorcyclists’ safety, as seen on October 19. Stones are sometimes placed to fill in a gap in the median, often to prevent motorcyclists from turning the gap into a U-turn. With such makeshift and temporary medians, care should be taken periodically to ensure the stones are in place.
The low-lying median at Thirumalai Pillai Road in T Nagar wears two-sided yellow reflectors, but in a couple of places, there is a disturbing gap before the next reflector appears — around the junction with Giri Road and another junction with Bhagirathi Ammal Street. There are also sections where a reflector seems to have gone on a sabbatical. One of the reflectors is bent, and a few need a scrub. A reflector with grime is as effective as a camera lens whose contact points are caked with dirt. A view of the median on October 19.
“We are judges and therefore, cannot act like Mughals of a bygone era ... the writ courts in the guise of doing justice cannot transcend the barriers of law,” the High Court of Karnataka observed while setting aside an order of a single judge, who in 2016 had extended the lease of a public premises allotted to a physically challenged person to 20 years contrary to 12-year period stipulated in the law.
The High Court of Karnataka on Monday declined to interfere, at present, in the investigation against a Bharatiya Janata Party worker, who is among the accused persons facing charges of circulating obscene clips, related to “morphed” images and videos clips related to Prajwal Revanna, former Hassan MP, in public domain through pen drives and other modes.
The 16th edition of Bhoomi Habba was held on June 8, at the Visthar campus. The festival drew a vibrant crowd who came together to celebrate eco-consciousness through a variety of engaging activities, creative workshops, panel discussions, interactive exhibits and performances, all centered around this year’s theme: “Save Water, Save Lives.”