Chennai: After playing host to thousands of shoppers for Deepavali, the commercial hub of T Nagar is now busy with something else, as work on the much-awaited Pedestrian Plaza project has resumed after a short break.
Greater Chennai Corporation Commissioner D Karthikeyan inspected the project site Friday and instructed officials to step up the work in full swing and complete it by March 2019.
Karthikeyan also advised officials to maintain quality without causing any hardship to shop-owners.
The first-of-its-kind project in Chennai is taken up under the Smart City Mission. Already, Chennai Smart City Limited (CSCL), in association with the civic body, had renovated Dr Natesan Park, Jeeva Park and Sharma Park, with new facilities, a move that was well-appreciated by residents and visitors.
Speaking to News Today, an official of CSCL present at the site said, “To facilitate smooth shopping for people from across the city, the work was temporarily halted during the festival time. It has now resumed at full speed.”
He added: “As scheduled, the project will be completed by March next year.”
The Rs.33.80 crore project will cover 1,450 metres of Thyagaraya Road from Bashyam Road near Panagal Park to Anna Salai. The entire stretch is to be divided into three parts with different identities, sources from the civic body said.
The first 730-metre stretch from Panagal Park to Thanikachalam Road will have 12 metre width for pedestrians, and MTC buses and motorcycles will be allowed in a 7-metre carriage way.
The second stretch of 370 metre from Thanikachalam Road to Boag Road will have only 3.5 metre width for pedestrians and in the third, all vehicles will be permitted on the 350 metre stretch.
Explaining the facilities to come up at the site, the official said, “There will be smart toilets, children play area, smooth pavements with benches for seating, and earmarked spaces for cultural activities and arts and commerce in the Smart Area.”
“Vendors and shoppers will benefit from the Pedestrian Plaza and we are working hard to make it a
reality by March next year,” said the CSCL official.
FEATURES FOR FUTURE
* Separate spaces for walkers, vehicles
* Smart toilets
* Children play area
* Smooth pavements with seating benches
* Spots for cultural activities
* Places for arts and commerce