Chennai to get second pedestrian plaza on Khader Nawaz Khan Road

Chennai

According to a Corporation official, Khader Nawaz Khan Road has been finalised for the project during a recent meeting held at Ripon Building. “The road will have facilities similar to the Pedestrian Plaza at T Nagar. The project will be carried out under Smart City Mission,” the official said.

The Corporation launched the Mega Street project and decided to redevelop the roads and streets in selected areas. During the first phase of the project, Anna Nagar, Nungambakkam, Mylapore, Velachery, Adyar, Tondiarpet, George Town and Tiruvottiyur have been segregated into six packages with a plan to create one pedestrian plaza in each of the packages. Apart from pedestrian-friendly facilities, the Mega Street project aims to create greenways along water bodies.

“Roads and streets in the other five packages are yet to be finalised for redevelopment. Khader Nawaz Khan Road has been finalised under the Nungambakkam package,” the official added. Once home to swanky bungalows, Khader Nawaz Khan Road has now become a commercial spot with several retail showrooms and dine-in spots.

The pedestrian plaza in T Nagar has facilities including wider footpaths, seating facilities, children play equipment and has now become a leisurely spot for the residents of Central Chennai. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the pedestrian plaza was hosting art and cultural events, too.

Under the Mega Street project, the civic body, apart from creating new pedestrian plazas, would also prepare street network plans to connect major roads and streets by boosting non-motorised transportation facilities such as cycle tracks and pedestrian pavements. Overall, 112 kilometres of streets and roads spread over 76.6 sqkm would get new designs and facilities.

Meanwhile, the Chennai Corporation has started its process to participate in the ‘Streets For People’ challenge, which was recently launched by the central government. “We have upcoming projects as well as already launched projects that are eligible for the challenge,” the official said.