Chennai T Nagar Pondy Bazaar gets a revamp Pedestrian Plaza

 Modelled on Times Square in New York and Rambla in Spain, the blue -print for Chennai Pondy Bazaar promises to give the chennai city’s commercial hub a glamorous facelift.

 Corporation of Chennai is plans to decongest and revamp Chennai T. Nagar are finally taking shape. A blue-print has recently been released of the proposed Pedestrian Plaza in the congested Pondy Bazaar area, which promises a host of changes.

A senior Corporation of Chennai official said, “This project will provide T. Nagar with a much-needed facelift and, most importantly, streamline traffic. We are conducting many studies to assess project feasibility & are confident it will benefit pedestrians greatly.”

Estimated to cost Rs. 83 crore, the pedestrian plaza will be a 1.4 km stretch from Panagal Park to Mount Road. Says Mr. Advait Jani, Project coordinator, ITDP (Institute for Transportation and Development Policy), Chennai,

 “It will create breathing space & also resolve the chaotic parking scenario. There will be road diversions in T. Nagar. The Chennai Corporation plans to bring in mini busses and electric cars too.”

The design creates 3 zones:

Zone I from Panagal Park to Dr. Nair Road, with a large pedestrian plaza on the south and a dedicated bus lane with wide sidewalk on the north. The bus lane will become a service lane for shops in the evening.

Zone II will be from Dr Nair Road to Residency Towers on North Boag Road, with a pedestrian plaza on the south & a bus lane on the north. Service lanes are provided on both sides with parking slots along the length.

Zone III will extend from Residency Towers to Mount Road and will be a standard  4 lane carriageway with mixed traffic and wide sidewalks with parking.

 

Mr. Raj Cherubal, Director-Projects, Chennai City Connect (CCC), says that cities across the globe are facing road congestion issues & such projects not only benefit residents but also translate into high commercial activity.

 

Rental rates around Times Square shot up 70% after the pedestrian plaza came up. The plaza here will encourage people to walk and reduce traffic in the area.”

Share: