City to get 3 more pedestrian plazas in Nungambakkam, Tondiarpet and Anna Nagar

According to Chennai Corporation sources, the proposal is a part of non-motorised transport (NMT) policy. “The Corporation has initiated steps to prepare a non-motorised transport masterplan for the entire city and a meeting was conducted at Ripon Buildings on Tuesday, in which the proposal was put forth,” the sources said.

It is learnt that the civic body also identified roads to be converted into pedestrian plazas and the identified roads are Tondiarpet High Road, Second Avenue in Anna Nagar and Khader Nawaz Khan Road in Nungambakkam. The roads were selected as they are wider and located in commercial hubs.

“We plan to have one pedestrian plaza for each of three regions instead of providing such swanky infrastructure only in posh localities. As far as the NMT Masterplan is concerned, we will invite consultants to draft the masterplan after discussing other components to be included in the draft. New pedestrian plaza proposal will also be included in the draft,” the sources added.

The Chennai Corporation has taken up Theagaraya Road in T Nagar to convert into the pedestrian plaza for Rs 33.80 crore under the Smart City Mission. Once the works are completed, the pedestrian plaza would have wider pedestrian walkways with benches and play equipment for children. One-way traffic only would be allowed on the road. Similar facilities would be provided in newly proposed pedestrian plazas.

“Parking facility will be made on 14 streets along the Theagaraya Road. Presently, beautification works are only pending, and play equipment will be installed once they arrive. We are expecting to inaugurate T Nagar pedestrian plaza in September. Newly proposed pedestrian plazas will have similar facilities,” an official said.

According to the NMT Masterplan proposal, the Chennai Corporation would take up 70 sqkm area during the first phase, which would comprise of Nungambakkam, Royapettah, T Nagar, Mylapore, Guindy, Adyar, Velachery and Taramani.

Apart from promoting non-motorised transport in the city, the NMT masterplan would propose projects to improve facilities for pedestrians on the streets leading to schools and other learning centres.

The civic body has assured that once the NMT Masterplan prepared and roads are redeveloped as per the masterplan, they would not be disturbed for the next 30 years as ducts would be provided for carrying cables.