The police have given three days time to vendors and shopkeepers in Coimbatore city to vacate motorable places and pedestrians. He has warned of action against those who continue to occupy the road, thereby disrupting the movement of traffic.
The city police issued the directive late Wednesday night as part of various measures being taken to improve traffic flow. Already, roundabouts have been introduced on a trial basis at places like Brookebond Road – Kikani School Junction, Thadgam Road – Lawley Road Junction and Chintamani Junction on Mettupalayam Road.
According to the police, the city police commissioner V. Balakrishnan had tasked the traffic and law and order wing personnel to identify the places where traffic jams are frequent.
During the inspection, the police team headed by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) N Mathivanan found that encroachment by shopkeepers and vendors running tea stalls, chaat corner and juice stalls along the narrow roads was the main reason for the traffic congestion. To growl Illegal parking of vehicles by the customers made the situation worse. Police said pedestrians were forced to walk on the busy roads due to encroachment on the roads.
A release from the city police said several directions have already been issued by the authorities to remove encroachments on public roads. Hence the vendors and shopkeepers have been advised to vacate the encroached places within three days from Wednesday.
Welcoming the move, District Road Safety Committee member K.K. Kathiramathian said shopkeepers and vendors should cooperate with the police, who are trying to improve the traffic situation with available resources and measures. He said that places like Cross Cut Road, 100 Feet Road, Ram Nagar, Oppanakara Street, Town Hall, Raja Street and Rangai Gouder Street are badly affected by such encroachments.