Decongest Usman Road, say residents

Talking to DT Next, VS Jayaraman of the T Nagar Residents’ Welfare Association, said that the widening of the footpath is an open invitation for encroachments. “If they wanted to do anything in T Nagar, they should have focused on Usman Road which is the hub of encroachments. However, while Pondy Bazar is also an important part of the commercial activity in the locality, there is no need for broad footpaths. We will soon see shops taking over the space.”

He also pointed out the confusion and chaos on Ranganathan Street and the lane between the street and Natesan Street that can be removed to decongest Ranganathan Street, which is also a commercial hub. “However, that has been reduced to a urinal and dump yard. Why can’t simple things be fixed before such fancy, time taking alternatives are being planned,” he asked.

Residents have been filing RTIs to seek information on licenses and approvals given to commercial buildings in the area. “A street vending committee is supposed to be in place. But we don’t see anything in this locality, which has so many vendors.”

However, a source from the Chennai Smart City Limited allayed their fears about encroachment saying that there is a Madras High Court order in place to prevent that. “We have had so many consultations and meetings with various stakeholders to iron out differences. The shopkeepers had an issue with these works. But they have now understood that the design and the infrastructure of the plaza are going to be useful for them,” added the source.

The source added that the hawkers have been kept off the roads with most of them being housed in the nearby shopping complex. “We are having a deadline in March and while this is a temporary inconvenience, the long-term impact will be worth the wait,” the source added.