Sources in the Greater Chennai Corporation said that the CM wanted to visit the first-of-its-kind pedestrian plaza at T Nagar and officially inaugurate it for the public. “Palaniswami plans to take a walk afterwards with senior Ministers including Municipal administration minister SP Velumani,” said the source.

The civic body, under the Smart City Mission, took up the pedestrian plaza project on Thyagaraya Road in T Nagar with Rs 33.80 crore. The work had begun in May 2018. As the civil works were completed a few weeks ago, beautification works were also completed a few days ago.

But, already the plaza is being used as a two-wheeler parking space and some shops have set up advertisement boards in the middle of the sidewalk. Shopkeepers in Pondy Bazaar expressed fear that once the plaza is inaugurated, hawkers would encroach upon it. A senior Corporation official, however, said that after the inauguration, such boards won’t be permitted, and parking will be made available on 13 interior streets.

Once the pedestrian plaza opened, the civic body plans to conduct cultural events such as dance and music apart from art competitions. “We will ensure that there is constant activity on the plaza and special events are conducted on important occasions,” the senior Corporation official said.