Chennai’s second pedestrian plaza soon at Khader Nawaz Khan Road

CHENNAI: Khader Nawaz Khan Road in Nungambakkam is to have the city’s next pedestrian plaza. Earlier conceptualised under the Mega Streets programme, it will now be executed under Singara Chennai 2.0 by Greater Chennai Corporation.
Estimated to cost ₹18crore, it will, however, be not as wide as the one along Pondy Bazaar (Theyagaraya Road) in T Nagar as the width is less. The stretch will have its own unique identity with a space dedicated for eateries (eat street), art and culture (art street) and a space to hang out. Learning from the mistakes of Pondy Bazaar, the officials have already begun planning on garbage disposal and parking on priority even before taking up the project. The designs have all been already finalised.

The road, which is 460 metres long, does not have an even carriageway. “The width varies and there is a place where there are a lot of trees and space for setting up urban infrastructure. At that location, we will set up a space for eateries and road side vendors, a space for art and culture promotion and also a play space. This will be made inclusive so that it is not just for upmarket shoppers,” said a representative from Jana Urban Space Foundation, the consultant for the project.
Corporation officials say they are reviewing the projects daily. “All these projects were sanctioned under the previous government. While the designs have been approved, we haven’t finalized anything yet. A lot may change. However, we are reviewing and studying them,” said a senior official. While new deputy commissioner (works) M S Prashanth reported for duty on Monday, corporation commissioner Gagandeep Singh Bedi has held two meetings with representatives of Smart City Private Limited and consultants to study all the projects. A few suggestions have been made to be incorporated under Singara Chennai 2.0, but nothing has been finalised.
Raj Cherubal, CEO of Smart City Private Limited, said the idea was to create a pedestrian friendly street that is well lit, safe and is inclusive. “Every street in the city has its unique identity and characteristics. We have proposed to highlight them using infrastructure such that residents get to experience the city,” he said.
Ashwathy Dilip of Institute of Transportation and Development Policy said it was great to see the new government include the project under the Singara Chennai initiative. “I hope more such projects are added to ensure our city becomes not only Singara Chennai, but also Arokya Chennai. Cities across the world such as Paris and London are prioritising walking and cycling to transform themselves into healthy cities. They are pedestrianising city centres; reclaiming parking spaces and converting them into public spaces; as well as creating walking and cycling networks across their cities.”