The Greater Chennai Corporation’s latest budget has unveiled a series of ambitious projects and welfare initiatives aimed at improving tourism, worker welfare and urban infrastructure across the city.One of the most eye-catching announcements is the proposal to introduce a rope car service between the Marina Lighthouse and the Anna Memorial. The project is designed to boost tourism and enhance connectivity along the iconic Marina Beach stretch. By offering an aerial transit option, the Corporation aims to provide visitors with a unique travel experience while also easing pedestrian congestion in the busy seafront zone. The rope car is expected to improve access to two of Chennai’s most visited landmarks and further promote the city as a major tourist destination.
In a significant welfare measure, the Corporation has proposed supplying buttermilk to sanitation workers during the peak summer months. Recognising the intense heat conditions under which conservancy workers operate, the initiative seeks to safeguard their health and well-being. With Chennai experiencing extreme temperatures during summer, the move is seen as a humane and preventive step to reduce heat-related illnesses among frontline workers who perform essential services across the city.
Addressing the needs of vulnerable sections, the budget also includes plans to establish temporary container-based shelters for the homeless, with an allocation of ₹12 crore. These shelters will provide safer and more structured accommodation for people living on the streets, especially during adverse weather conditions. The initiative aims to improve living standards for the urban poor while ensuring better monitoring and support services.
On the infrastructure front, the Corporation has proposed the development of multi-modal integrated transport hubs at a cost of ₹40 crore. These hubs are intended to improve coordination between different modes of transport, including buses and suburban rail, thereby enhancing urban mobility. By integrating various transport systems, the project seeks to reduce travel time, ease congestion and create a more seamless commuting experience for residents.
Overall, the budget reflects a balanced approach, combining tourism development, social welfare and infrastructure modernisation to support Chennai’s growing urban needs.