Work at snail’s pace makes residents doubt ‘Smart’ plan

Chennai’s T-Nagar was chosen for area-based development (ABD) under Smart City funding in 2015. Close to three years later, little has progressed, as the city’s busiest quartier remains plagued by the same problems of unorganised chaos, faulty garbage disposal and unending traffic snarls, claim residents. 

Though work on the redesigning of interior roads and parks has started, many of the major projects, including the Pedestrian Plaza, are still under various stages of tendering procedure. 

The residents, who had hoped that their locality would get a snazzy makeover, were left disappointed. VS Jayaraman, member, T-Nagar Residents Welfare Association, said that this was the topic of discussion in the recent meeting.

Jaya K, a school teacher, said, “We were quite excited when the idea of a Pedestrian Plaza was mooted but now, after more than two years, we don’t know if it will ever materialise.” 

A source from the Greater Chennai Corporation said, “Various factors are responsible for the delay. For example, the Pedestrian Plaza project should be done only after proper studies, of which the DPR has been delayed by the consultants.”