Civic authorities encroaching upon pedestrian pathway on Vaigai South Bank Road

One of the best motorable stretch of roads in Madurai is the Vaigai South Bank Road between Kuruvikkaran Salai and Viraganoor junction.

The four-way road has got a median, proper road marking, parapet wall and also pedestrian pathways on both sides. Ever since the road work was completed some five years back, it has become the most preferred road for people from northern parts of the city to reach the Inner Ring Road. People living in adjacent areas use the promenade for their morning strolls.

However, all of a sudden the wide pathway along the Vaigai river got encroached upon with workers starting to lay a water pipeline on structure.

“It is very unusual for the city planners to lay the pipelines over the ground as they are laid underground. This practice is not only to protect the pipelines but also to keep the roads or road margins free of such structures,” a traffic police officer said.

In the attempt to lay the huge pipeline, the contractor has also constructed brick structures at regular intervals. These structures, measuring around three feet high and also over 2.5 feet wide, have effectively reduced the walking space.

“Now, the space available is good enough for only one person to walk. If someone comes on the opposite direction or wants to overtake the other, they would have to step down on the carriage way, risking their life as most of the vehicles, especially two-wheelers, go zoom past in high speed,” he added.

Besides, effectively the purpose of the parapet wall to protect people from the river has been defeated.

Access to the top of the parapet wall has been made easy for the urchins as they can climb up the wall after easily stepping over the brick structures. Any adventurous attempt by children to walk over the pipeline and brick structure could risk their life and limbs as they might have accident fall on the pathway or on the road and also into the river.

Besides, the narrow gaps under the pipeline and also on its side could become a good hideout for poisonous reptiles that could endanger the lives of people who take a casual walk in the early mornings or late evenings. While widening of roads is eating up the pedestrian pathways, a poor planning by civic authorities has encroached the same depriving people of a good walking space.