Chennai:
New streets and footpaths are being planned to improve access for commuters to Chennai metro rail stations, according to Institute for Transportation and Development Policy technical director Christopher Kost.
Kost told Express that the prime importance of the Rs 14000 crore project is to make the metro rail stations across the city accessible for people as such a study done by ITDP has suggested the need to upgrade footpaths besides creating new streets that are pedestrian friendly in the 500 metre vicinity of metro rail stations.
“If we could spend nearly 14,000 crore for the project, we can spend around 20 crore for upgrading the footpaths,” he said.
Interestingly, the Koyambedu railway station of Chennai Metro rail, which was initially taken up as one one the stations for the study to develop streets, is located in one of the most crowded areas of the city and is surrounded by fruits and vegetable market, a omni bus stand, a truck terminal and a moffusil bus stand for state transport corporation buses.
Christopher says the whole area is not pedestrian friendly and lacks footpath. He says the plan is to work out shorter routes for commuters so that they don’t take circuitous path.
He says this should be done before the stations get operational. Interestingly, this could be one of the major challenges in other stations of metro rail where land has to be acquired.
The new streets could be developed by issuing Transferrable Development Rights. He says the onus is on CMDA to design the new streets through a detailed plan for these areas.
Christopher says that the positive aspect in Koyambedu is that Metro rail owns a huge property but in other stations it would be a challenge to redevelop streets as it could result in acquiring land
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