Chennai: In the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) limits, the number of view cutters covering transformers is increasing to protect people from accidents and improve the visual look of the city. However, the situation is different on Palaniappa Nagar Main Road in Thapalpetty, Madhavaram, where residents are requesting officials from the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited (Tangedco) and the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) to cover the transformer with a view cutter, a long-standing claim. According to residents, the transformer is locked on one side of the road, very close to a residential apartment. The iron bars protruding from the transformer pose a hazard to both drivers and pedestrians. At night, people risk being hit by the protruding rods. Daniel Kumar, secretary of the Palaniappa Nagar Civic Association, said, “We have filed several online complaints with the GCC and Tangedco, and were assured that the problem would be resolved soon.
However, nothing has been achieved for months.” He added, “Eight months ago, a motorist was hit by an iron rod while overtaking a vehicle on the wrong side and was injured.” Another civic association official said there have been instances of elderly pedestrians being injured after being hit by the rods. “Despite promises, Tangedco has not even begun work on converting the overhead lines into underground ones.” A resident, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “Residents of KKR Garden, KKR Towns, and other nearby areas, including school and college students, and office-goers, use the main road daily to access the Madhavaram-Redhills High Road. Given the heavy road usage, authorities must install view cutters immediately.” Meanwhile, a GCC official said, “There is a proposal to build view cutters at several locations in Ward 28. We have submitted the list to the GCC head office. After receiving administrative approval, tenders will be issued soon. Work will begin once the tenders are finalized.”
Chennai: Residents in Palaniappa Nagar have been urged to repair the view cutters around the transformer.
