014 Kicking up a lot of dust

TIRUCHI,The Hindu December 15, 2014

Kicking up a lot of dust



C. Jaisankar


Sand accumulated on roadside makes driving difficult for motorists



Accumulation of sand along the roadsides gives motorists, particularly two-wheeler riders, the jitters.



Though the issue had remained unresolved for long, it has earned the attention yet again due to the accumulation of huge quantity of sand and dust on the roadsides after the recent spells of shower in the city.

Residents and motorists say that save a few stretches in the Cantonment area, there is hardly any road in the city which is free from the problem. In some places, cloud of dust hangs in the air. Some commuters allege that strong winds make it literally impossible for motorists to drive through some arterial roads in the city.

The drivers have to both drive carefully without skidding on the road and also guard their eyes from these veritable sandstorms. There is also a view among the residents that the civic body doesn’t have a clear vision on how to get rid of the problem, though sanitary workers are pressed into the job of cleaning accumulated sand from time to time.

The problem is highly prevalent on the Cauvery Bridge between Anna Salai and Mambala Salai, V.O.C.Road, Rockins Road, Gandhi Market, Srirangam, many streets in Thillai Nagar, Woraiyur, and the West Boulevard Road. The rain-battered roads have aggravated the problems of road-users. The fine sand and cement particles kicked up by the passing vehicles from the patch works done on the roads create a smokescreen on the road making it difficult for the motorists to drive.

The problem also exacerbates the pollution level in the air. It is a major reason for respiratory diseases and asthma. Besides making life difficult for dust-allergic patients, it can cause skin diseases too,” says M.A.Aleem, neurologist, Tiruchi. Pointing to the growing number of roadside eateries, he said at least a layer of dust would settle on the food articles prepared in the open due to high-level of dust pollution in the city. People should take grate caution while taking food from roadside eateries, he said. The Tiruchirappali City Corporation should increase the number of machines used for mopping up sand and augment staff strength to clean the roadsides effectively and periodically, say residents.