Chennai: Madras high court has ordered a survey of all the encroachments in Chennai and their systematic removal. The court has also directed the traffic management wing of Chennai police to procure more towing vehicles and deploy them strategically for immediate removal of illegally parked vehicles.A division bench of Justice S M Subramaniam and Justice K Surender observed that the actions taken by the authorities against illegal parking are not only insufficient but also invisible in the public domain.“When the actions are invisible in the public domain, violators will commit offence repeatedly by causing obstructions to the road users and free flow of traffic in city and urban areas. Therefore, it is just and necessary that Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) and police department have to work in tandem, so as to ensure that road encroachments are removed systematically in a time-bound manner, and illegally parked vehicles are towed immediately,” the court said on Wednesday.The court passed the orders on a plea moved by Saju Alex, a resident of Teynampet, alleging repeated illegal parking by a bike mechanic in his area. Passing the interim orders, the bench observed that in cases of such repeat offences, police authorities are bound to register a criminal case against such habitual encroachers.The court further emphasised the need for CMDA and the police department to work in tandem, so as to ensure that road encroachments are removed systematically in a time-bound manner, and illegally parked vehicles are towed immediately.“In the event of failure, competent authorities of corporation, CMDA and police authorities must be held responsible and accountable, and jurisdictional officials are answerable for all such obstructions caused to the public,” the court said.These authorities are bound to ensure free flow of traffic and prevent illegal parking of vehicles on main roads by simultaneously removing the encroachments on footpaths and roads/streets, the court added.
