‘Traffic Ramaswamy’ Is No More

Social activist KR Ramaswamy who was popularly called as Traffic Ramaswamy who spent his entire life in regulating traffic and filing Public Interest Litigation PILs is no more.

The 87-year-old got admitted to Rajiv Gandhi Government hospital Chennai a few days ago. Though he tested negative for coronavirus, he faced some lung issues.

He was on medications and ventilator but suffered a massive cardiac arrest and passed away on May 4th, 2021 at the age of 87.

Traffic Ramaswamy was an activist and brought major changes in the infrastructure and administration in Tamilnadu. He has been a driving force behind the regularization of motorised fish cart, the regulation of traffic, holding the government accountable for its spending etc.

Ramaswamy was a member of home guards in Chennai and was often seen regulating traffic. He had filed over 500 Public Interest Litigations (PILs) in two decades. His first PIL was in 1998 when he challenged the state government’s decision to construct a flyover on the NSC Bose Road near Madras High Court.

Ramaswamy was born and brought up in an agricultural family and started his career as a helper to then Chief Minister of Madras, C Rajagopalachari and always considered him as a role model.