Officials said the structures were extensions of existing shops and commercial buildings that reduced road width.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Encroachments, mostly houses and petty shops, were demolished on Iyengar Road in Pernambut near Gudiyatham town in Vellore on Thursday by officials to provide easy access to Government Higher Secondary School located on the stretch.
Officials of Pernambut municipality, which executed the work, said that most of the 60 encroachments on the stretch were built more than a decade ago. These structures are mostly extensions of existing shops and commercial establishments that reduced total road space on the stretch. “Such extension of buildings has affected traffic movement, especially ambulances and other vehicles, on the stretch. The drive was aimed at the safety of pedestrians, especially students and to provide more road space for vehicles,” R. Mohan Kumar, commissioner, Pernambut municipality, told The Hindu.
Municipal officials said that the drive was based on the directions of Collector P.S. Leena Alex after residents gave petitions to her at a grievances meeting recently to restore the original width of the stretch by demolishing illegal structures on it.
Notices were served to those who occupied the stretch as per the court order. Affected families were also identified to provide them with alternative land of three cents per family. “The government school has students from at least 10 surrounding villages. The stretch is the lone access for students to reach the school campus safely. Such a demolition drive should be done regularly,” said T. Padma, a resident.
Officials said that the demolition drive was also meant to restore the existing water channel along the route, as most of the encroachments were built on it. The encroachments, mostly concrete structures, blocked the free flow of excess rainwater during the monsoon. This has resulted in waterlogging in the town.
The water channel helps to discharge excess rainwater from stormwater drains in the town into the Palar River. The stretch, which is around one kilometre in length, connects key areas like Gudiyatham, Ambur, Pallikonda and Katpadi with Chittoor in A.P. The stretch is also a lifeline for local residents to go to bus terminus, hospitals, banks and the market.
Demolition of encroachments has restored the original width of 40 feet. All these years, encroachments have reduced the total carriageway to 20 feet wide. Adequate safety measures like blinkers, reflectors, and steel railings will be installed in the coming weeks. Speed breakers will also be built to prevent accidents, officials said.
Published – September 25, 2026 12:31 am IST
