Chennai Corporation to clear bikes on platforms opposite HC and file report

Chennai: The Madras high court has directed the executive engineer, zone V of the Greater Chennai Corporation, to at least clear the two-wheelers parked on the platforms opposite Madras high court premises and file a report with supporting documents by Wednesday.

A division bench comprising Justices M.Sathyanaryanan and N.Seshasayee gave the directive while passing interim orders on a Public Interest Litigation from Vandana Zachariah, a charted accountant from Kilpauk.

The bench said this court can take a judicial note of the fact that right across this court, though the platforms have been erected, the same being used by the hawkers and many two-wheelers were parked and as a result the pedestrians were unable to use the platforms and virtually make them to walk on the road which may expose them to danger of being hit by speeding vehicles. Therefore, as a first measure the executive engineer, zone V was directed to clear at least the two wheelers parked on the platforms opposite to the court premises and shall file a report with supporting photographs by tomorrow, the bench added.

In her petition, the petitioner sought a direction to the authorities to under go training in the CRRI and to establish an independent special team for the purpose of the implementation, erection and maintenance of pavements and also create a web based redressal forum like the “Swachhata App” wherein all citizens of Chennai can post any grievance relating to pavements. She also sought a direction to the city police to make daily patrol on-foot on the pavements in their respective local jurisdiction and maintain a diary which can be referred to by any citizen under the Right to Information Act.

She also sought a direction to the authorities to do paper publication of this court order in all major local newspapers and or other media and create awareness for the general public to meet the ends of justice.