Big makeover awaits Big Bazaar Street

Coimbatore: By this time next year, the Big Bazaar Street will have equal space for pedestrians and motorists, and a separate lane for buses. The busy street will also have a sitting arena for people to relax, a designated space marked for two-wheeler parking and pick-up and drop points for cabs and autos.
These are some of the features German technical agency Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH has included in its design to make the stretch pedestrian-friendly.
The Rs 4.5 crore project will be implemented for about a kilometre from Pothys to Koniamman temple.
The city corporation had reached out to the public through social media platforms for feedback on the proposed design and received over 500 responses, said a source privy to the project. “Most of the responses were positive.”
The civic body and the firm conducted a test run last November by painting pavements in vibrant colours and installing overhead shades. “We received a lot of positive responses. Based on the feedback and suggestions from the public and traders in the area, the final design was prepared. Most of the components have been retained by changing the materials used during trial,” the source said.
To ensure that the lane is pedestrian-friendly, bollards will be used to restrict entry of vehicles on footpaths. Width of footpaths will be increased. Junctions will have tabletop crossing. “The stretch will have three-lane traffic as usual. We will use the unused and encroached space to increase the size of footpaths,” the source said.
Street vendors will be given exclusive space to carry out their business, without disturbing commuters.