The 135-foot-tall tower at the Dr. Visvesvaraya Tower Park has been the undisputed icon of Anna Nagar. As it provided a panoramic view of the city, the 1968-built tower drew people from beyond neighbourhood.
However, it acquired notoriety as a spot for suicides and a stomping ground for anti-socials. With poor maintenance and vandalism, it lost its sheen, but not its status as the symbol of Anna Nagar.
Following a spate of suicides in 2011, access to the 12-storied was denied. It still ruled the hearts of Anna Nagar residents. Seven years after its shutdown, the iconic tower is now being thrown open for the public.
According to the zonal officer of Zone 8 (Anna Nagar), the proposal to renovate the tower has been sent to the officials.
“In recent years, we have been receiving representations from the public to reopen the tower. After considering these, we analysed the area and decided to reopen it,” he says.
He says that only the bottom three storeys of the tower have safety grills that run from the floor to ceiling. “The railings at the remaining nine storeys will be replaced with similar safety grills that run across length of each storey.”
The preliminary report estimates a budget of ₹30 lakh for the renovation, which includes provision of railings and lighting. “Once we receive the approval, we will commence the work, which will take 30 to 40 days,” says the official.
The fact sheet
*The Anna Nagar Tower Park, situated near the Anna Nagar Roundana, was initially built as part of an international trade fair in 1968.
*Then Chief Minister C. N. Annadurai inaugurated the Tower Park, on January 21, 1968.
*It has two entrances — at Third Main Road and Sixth Main Road (near the Ayyappan Temple).
*A visitor can access the tower through a cyclic ramp or elevator.
