Chennai: It seems the time for climax has come for the much-awaited Pedestrian Plaza project covered under Smart City Mission at Pondy Bazaar.
As part of various new features, two lighting facilities – pedestrian and street lights – have come up in the area where over 100 such new lamps have been fixed on both sides of Thyagaraya Road.
Speaking on the facility, an officer from the civic body said, “We have installed over 100 lamps for street lighting and almost half of them are for pedestrians at pavement areas in the plaza.”
“The main plaza area right from Panagal Park till Thanikachalam Road will have this unique facility to ensure pedestrians have more than adequate lighting while on the move.”
“LED lamps will be fixed on these lightings and the work is to be completed by the end of this month.” About the other two parts of the project, from Thanikachalam Road to Boag Road and from Boag Road to Teynampet signal, he said,
“These two too will also be provided with new lamps, but the numbers will be less since the pavement area is less here.” “The new lighting facilities will be helpful not only to shoppers but also to seniors and women to move comfortably in the pedestrian pathway.”
He added: “Most of the work is nearing completion in the first part of the project and remaining work at parts two and three till Teynampet signal will be completed.”
“Upon completion of all the three segments of Pedestrian Plaza, maintenance aspect will be discussed and suitable arrangements will be made.”
Welcoming the move to provide two way lights in the area, shoppers and vendors expressed happiness. “Exclusive lightings for pedestrians will encourage more people to visit the plaza,” commented a trader here.
“During festive seasons when the crowd is heavy, lighting facility will come in handy and help all of us here.” For residents, their wait for the finish of the project is long and the new facility seems to attract them as well.
“We have been calling for more lights in the area and now they have fixed several fittings in the plaza,” commented Rajesh of Sivaprakasam Street. “Similarly, they should also fix more lights in adjoining streets like ours which will smoothen the flow of traffic and also help the residents.”