Encroachments demolished to provide easy access to Government Taluk Hospital in Gudiyatham

Encroachments, mostly houses and petty shops, were demolished by civic officials on Anna Salai in Gudiyatham town on Saturday to provide easy access to Government Taluk Hospital located on the stretch.

Officials of Gudiyatham municipality, which executed the work, said that most of the 120 encroachments on the stretch were built more than a decade ago. These structures are mostly extensions of existing shops and commercial establishments that resulted in reduced road space. “Such extension of buildings has affected traffic movement, especially ambulances, on the stretch. The drive was aimed at the safety of road users and to provide more road space for vehicles,” S. Dhanalakshmi, commissioner, Gudiyatham municipality, told The Hindu.

Municipal officials said that the drive was based on an order issued by the Madras High Court on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) to restore the original width of the stretch by demolishing illegal structures on it.

Notices were served to those who occupied the stretch as per the court order. Affected families were also identified to provide them with alternate land of three cents. “Ambulances struggle to navigate the narrow space on the stretch due to encroachments. Pedestrians, including senior citizens and patients, have to risk themselves by using the stretch,” said T. Sudar, a resident.

Officials said that the demolition drive was also meant to restore the water channel on the route as most of the encroachments were built on it. The encroachments, mostly concrete structures, blocked free flow of excess rainwater during monsoon. It resulted in waterlogging in town.

The water channel helps discharge excess rainwater from storm water drains in town to Palar River. The stretch is two km, connecting key areas like Pernambut, Ambur, Pallikonda, and Katpadi with Chittoor in Andhra Pradesh. The stretch is also a lifeline for residents to go to bus terminus, hospitals, banks, market, and schools.

Demolition of encroachments has restored the original width of 40 feet. The encroachments had reduced the total carriageway to a width of 20 feet. Adequate safety measures like blinkers, reflectors, steel railings will be installed in the coming weeks. Speed breakers will also be built to prevent accidents, officials said.