The removal of speed breakers and laying of paver blocks on New Bus Stand Road near Santhai Pettai in Ramanathapuram has led to students of two municipality schools in the area getting injured frequently in road accidents.
During the recent construction of the new bus stand, the particular stretch of 80-foot-road was also renovated, and paver blocks were laid replacing the tar road. Teachers and parents of two schools – Government Municipality Girls Higher Secondary School and Vallalpari Municipality Middle School – located on either side of the road, said that owing to the paver block layer the option of placing speed breakers to control vehicular movement had been practically eliminated.
As more than a total of 1,400 students studied in both schools, the school staff said barricades had been placed on the road near the schools to avoid untoward incidents. “But during recent political meetings and religious events, the barricades were removed by the police and placed elsewhere,” the staff added.
“Both campuses were previously used only by the Government Municipality Girls Higher Secondary School, but the Vallalpari Municipality Middle School was shifted to our campus on the other side of the road a few years ago,” the staff further said.
Students from both schools used the available facilities on both campuses. “Even classes for grade VI, VII, VIII and IX, students of Government Municipality Girls Higher Secondary School are being taken on the opposite campus,” they added.
Since the students kept moving throughout the day, it was not safe for them to cross the roads with vehicles speeding on the road, said Ajmal Sheriff, a parent. “Even two days ago, a girl student when crossing the road was hit by a bike. Fortunately, as the driver was able to pull the brakes on time, the girl escaped with just a fall.”
Since it was a paver block road, it was dangerous even for two-wheelers passing on the road. If the driver tried to stop the bike suddenly, it would lead to skidding, he added.
A municipality official said they would look into the issue immediately and take necessary steps.
Published – November 01, 2025 05:13 pm IST
