Chennai: On the day of brisk polling, shops, restaurants and business establishments remained open in RK Nagar. Business was usual for voters and the market areas in all corporation wards coming under RK Nagar were busy amidst the highly guarded polling booths. Parks and play fields also saw residents and children enjoying a free local holiday due to RK Nagar polling.
“The election did not play spoilsport for scrap and export traders as they did brisk business as usual and polling did not affect the traffic movement of our lorries,” said S. Ganesh, proprietor of Ganesh Travels.
The business was as usual in commercial pockets of Tondiarpet, Washermempet, Kasimedu and Korrukhupet and the market areas were vibrant with shoppers. Jewellery shops and garment showrooms on Tiruvottriyur high road remained open despite their location just a stone throw from sensitive polling booths.
“Though cash for votes was rampant in RK Nagar, it was a violence-free election without any untoward incidents”, said N. Senthil, a functionary of Naam Thamizhar Katchi. As there were no tension or violence, the public movement was not affected. Traffic snarls broke out during noontime in MC road connecting RK Nagar and Royapuram, he said.
“Driving auto to polling booths is a scary job, but as the booths remained calm throughout the day there was a good number of customers to the Tondiarpet polytechnic booth and the government buses also made trips without any hassle”, said K. Asokan, an auto driver based in Korrukupet.
According to CISF and CRPF personnel stationed at Kasimedu polling station, it was a peaceful experience for them in RK Nagar without any violence and tension.
