If you had to experience the peace of making North and East Mada Streets ‘no traffic’ zone then you should have been on these streets on Wednesday evening, after the ther (chariot) procession was over.
City Police barred traffic if any kind from accessing the two streets and this allowed people who were visiting the temple for the fest to walk freely. And this despite the presence of many small hawkers on the road sides.
Also, all permanent shops on North Mada Streets had been asked to remove all their sign-boards and goods that were displayed on the pavement and even on the roadside in front of each shop. This allowed for free access space for pedestrians.
Mylaporeans who were here on Wednesday evening wondered how these shops are allowed to encroach on public space during the rest of the year.
