Encroachments razed on main road in Gudiyatham

Making space: Illegally-built structures, some decades-old, being demolished on the Government Hospital Main Road in Vellore on Saturday to ensure smooth flow of traffic.

Encroachments, mostly houses and petty shops, were demolished on Government Hospital Main Road in Gudiyatham town here on Saturday to provide easy access to Government Taluk Hospital located on the stretch.

The civic officials of Gudiyatham municipality, along with police and Tangedco officials, were involved in the day-long exercise. Most of the encroachments on the stretch — around 70 structures — were built more than two decades ago.

“Illegal construction on the stretch has affected traffic on the route. The stretch also witnessed accidents due to its narrow carriageway,” M. Mangayarkkarasan, Commissioner, Gudiyatham municipality, told The Hindu.

Municipal officials said the drive was based on an order issued by the Madras High Court on a public interest litigation in January 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 three cents of land each.

Officials said the demolition drive was also meant to restore the storm-water drain on the route, which helps discharge floodwater from the town’s drains to Palar river. Most of the encroachments were built on the water channel, blocking the free flow of floodwater and leading to waterlogging in the town.

“Patients and their relatives visiting the government hospital have to walk on the carriageway as most of the road space was encroached upon by shopkeepers and residents. The demolition drive has helped restore the space for walkers,” said K. Selvi, a resident.

According to municipal officials, the stretch is around two km and connects key areas such as Pernambut, Ambur, Pallikonda and Katpadi in Tamil Nadu with Chittoor in Andhra Pradesh.

The demolition drive has restored the original width of the road (40 feet) from 20 feet.

Blinkers, reflectors, and steel railings would be installed and speed breakers built in the coming weeks to prevent accidents and ensure road safety, officials said.