[1]The Tasmac shop on the arterial G.A Road in Old Washermanpet has become a haven for drunks who often pick up quarrels and disturb others. Over 5,000 students have to pass by the shop daily to reach local schools.
“We mainly attend maternity cases and we can’t predict when there will be an emergency case. The roads are packed with tipplers during weekends and at night women feel insecure because of this shop,” said a doctor in a private hospital in the locality. Women are the most affected as they fear harassment from tipplers. “I mostly avoid consultations at night. This shop needs to be shifted,” said M. Laxmi, a pregnant woman.
Another doctor from a nearby alcohol de-addiction centre said, “Though we try to rehabilitate patients, the Tasmac shop nearby defeats our efforts”.
The location of the shop (no 138) has also upset locals and school managements. “I saw a group of students consuming alcohol right behind my house. Though the bar may be in accordance with law, morally the shop should not operate here. Drunken men urinate behind my house,” said A. Loganathan, a retired MTC driver.
Residents and school authorities claim that repeated protests have not yielded result and they say that eviction is the only solution. “We made several complaints immediately after the establishment of the shop,” said S. Thirumaran, correspondent of K.C.S. Higher Secondary School.
When contacted, Tasmac MD T. Soundiah said, “Any Tasmac shop causing public inconvenience needs to be shifted. We will take action”.
Links:
[1] http://103.241.136.51/tasmacjpgcropdisplayjpg-890