Chennai Corporation's footpath model wins accolade nationwide

C Shivakumar
Chennai:
The initiative by Corporation of Chennai to widen footpaths from 1.5m to 3m by reclaiming space from road to make it pedestrian friendly and to regulate traffic has won accolades among the civil society.
 The Centre for Science and Environment in New Delhi has hailed the move by the Chennai Corporation officials during an international workshop after inviting them to share their experiences during a workshop.
Nandakumar, Executive Engineer, Corporation of Chennai, said that under the grants obtained from Tamil Nadu Road Infrastructure fund (TURIF) Corporation of Chennai has taken up 71 major roads to a length of 48.60km at an estimated cost of Rs. 42.5 crores for converting the existing 5 feet footpath to 10 feet footpath with all facilities like street furniture, toilets, etc. “The work is in the advanced stage,” he said.

“We will be taking up the works on 383 roads soon,” said Nandakumar. He said that Corporation of Chennai is enlisting CREDAI and others to maintain the new roads. This include day to day cleaning and sweeping of the roads every three hours a day.
He said initially 780 public toilets are also planned on these 71 roads and the corporation is taking the help of architects in designing it.
Kumar said that the footpaths are designed in such a way that during rains water will fall into a catch pit in the buffer and then into pipes under the footpath.
 The level of the drain is below that of the footpath. Proper sloping in carriageway design is essential for this to work,” he said
 “We are also focusing on specifics which include removal of temporary and permanent obstructions as well as compliance with access standards for people with disabilities,” he said. 
Nandakumar also said that the Chennai Corporation is also focusing on making T Nagar (South Usman Road)and Mylapore (North to East to South Mada Street) more pedestrian friendly. This includes restricting some mode of traffic in certain areas and allow only public transport. This also includes designing the pedestrian spaces in such a way so that they include plazas, trees and structures for shade, as well as space for street vendors.
“We are holding consultations with commercial establishment to provide battery operated vehicles in these pedestrian friendly zones,” he added.