Anna Nagar Tower walls defaced, GCC mulls entrance fee

Chennai: “Didn’t this tower just reopen,” wonders a young man as he climbs up the iconic structure in Anna Nagar. A look around and one can see the objects of his disapproval: Doodles of names and drawings scrawled on the walls.The renowned Anna Nagar Tower, which provides a panoramic view of the city and was recently renovated at 98 lakh, was reopened after 12 years on March 20. Greater Chennai Corporation is considering imposition of an entrance fee and installation of security cameras, says P Murugesan, district revenue officer/zonal officer, zone 8. “But, we cannot be as strict as we would like since entry is free. There is no proper queue system yet and there are no time limitations for staying up at the tower. The only way out is an entrance fee. We are considering a 10-20 fee for every half an hour to 45 mins.” The fee will be authorised within the next 15 days and security cameras installed in 22 spots within next 10 days, he says.K Narayana, a guard, said there are signs at the entrance and at the top warning people against writing on the walls. “We also tell people to leave pens, crayons, even lipsticks with us before entering. But we can only do so much.”The 135-ft-tall structure, inaugurated in 1968 by then chief minister C N Annadurai, holds significance to city residents. Dilip Jayashankar,18, said,“ This is the third time I have come since it reopened. On day four, the walls were clean. I noticed the writings when I came on day 7.”The corporation is yet to decide on fining people who deface the tower, says Murugesan. Sandhya Vedullapalli, an advocate and longtime Anna Nagar resident, says the onus is on the public to be more considerate of their surroundings. “They should be made aware of the repercussions of defacing public property.”