The Safe Route to Schools programme will be implemented by the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) in Tondiarpet, Royapuram, Washermenpet and KK Nagar, with child-friendly street networks covering around 5 km in each neighbourhood.

The school-zone streets will be redesigned with traffic-calming measures, continuous footpaths, protected crossings, raised junctions, improved signage, adequate street lighting and universal accessibility features. The interventions aim to make daily commutes safer for schoolchildren and their caregivers.

The initiative is part of the Chief Minister's Integrated Urban Development Mission (CMIUDM), outlined in the 2026-27 Policy Note of the Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department, tabled in the assembly on Monday by School Education Minister Rajmohan on behalf of Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, who holds the portfolio.

The mission has a wider focus on pedestrian-friendly streets, climate-resilient infrastructure, public spaces and unlocking the value of underutilised civic assets.

As part of this, the GCC will implement an asset monetisation programme through the public-private partnership (PPP) model. It envisages the development of modern commercial and office complexes, mixed-use developments, and community infrastructure on underutilised civic land and assets.

The government expects the programme to generate sustainable municipal revenue, attract private investment, create jobs, and spur local economic activity, in addition to improving urban infrastructure and public services.