Truckers protest poor roads on lead up to Chennai Port

CONTAINER truck drivers have parked their vehicles on the sides of roads in North Chennai protest against the poor maintenance of Ennore-Manali Road and Ponneri-Panchetty Road.

The action by a small number of drivers is said to have been sparked by the attack on a truck driver in Manali by members of the public after he tried to overtake a lorry.

The drivers claim that improper maintenance of roads often leads to quarrels between them and the general public; and demanded the authorities take immediate measures to address their grievances, reports the Times of India.

It said the Confederation of Surface Transport in Tamil Nadu had earlier announced an indefinite strike by trailers, trucks and lorries from November 22, condemning the poor maintenance of Tiruvottiyur-Ponneri Road and Madhavaram-Manali Road.

"Authorities don't give adequate importance to road maintenance and that makes driving a difficult task. We have been demanding for several years to ensure proper roads here. No effective steps were taken and the roads have turned from bad to worse," said confederation president R Sugumar.

Port Trust chairman Atulya Misra said steps were taken to do patch-up works on Ennore Road. The National Highways Authority of India had already called for tenders for the road works, he added.
(Source:www.schednet.com)