Statues erected on various roads of the temple town create hurdles for smooth flow of traffic. Traffic islands at several junctions on the bustling Tirumala by-pass road too lead to traffic snarls.
The TTD and corporation authorities have decreased the size of some traffic islands but it did not help much.
When asked about proposals to remove statues which create hurdles following the apex court’s guidelines, sources in the Municipal Corporation of Tirupati said it needed a lot of courage to remove the existing statues. Officials claimed that not all existing statues posed a threat to road users. But many people said construction of sculptures in the middle of roads posed visibility problems while taking turns.
K Ravikanth, who used a motorcycle, said he had fractured his leg as he could not see movements of other vehicles while taking a turn at TUDA Circle, where late chief minister YS Rajasekhar Reddy’s statue is installed.
Similarly, at the busy Town Club Circle, TDP founder late NT Rama Rao’s statue, Krishnadevaraya’s statue at Leela Mahal circle, Shankarambadi circle and at APSRTC bus station also obstruct the visibility of motorists.
When asked of the statue menace, Tirupati traffic DSP P Shankar agreed that it would be a better idea to install statues at corners rather than in the middle of roads.
Stating that installation of statues is one of the main reasons for traffic jams and accidents, he said there is a need to stop this pratice.
MCT officials said those who want permission for installation of statues will have to write to the district collector, who is the chairman of district statue committee. “After looking into such applications, the collector will direct us to inspect the site mentioned, after which we will submit a report,” said revenue officer KL Varma.