Graffiti-free Kamarajar, Anna Salai from June 10

Published Date: 29-5-2009 - (NIE)

G Saravanan

Chennai, May 28: COME June 10 and Kamarajar Salai and Anna Salai in the city would be graffiti-free.Cracking the whip on those defacing the walls in these areas, the Chennai Corporation said graffiti, posters or hoardings will not be allowed on these roads as they have been designated ‘poster free zones’.

Making the announcement during a debate at the council meeting here on Thursday, Mayor Subramanian said that initially, the ban would be strictly enforced on Anna Salai and Kamarajar Salai and later extended to other arterial roads and areas. However, the Mayor did not elaborate on the kind of action the corporation would take against violators.

While the 5km stretch of Kamarajar Salai has important government establishments like All India Radio, Madras University campus, Secretariat and Reserve Bank buildings, the 14km long Anna Salai is considered as a gateway to the city for visiting foreign dignitaries.

Earlier during the debate, opposition floor leader Saidai P Ravi said that a majority of Chennaiites were happy with the adherence to the ban on posters enforced in connection with the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls. When officials could ensure a graffiti-free period during the elections, why cannot the same officials enforce it permanently in the city, wondered Ravi.

Meanwhile, the Corporation has also decided to crackdown on sale of unsafe drinking water. The Mayor announced that the civic body would seek help of the police in filing criminal cases against those shop owners who sold drinking water in sachets.