1.2 km of Adyar River bank being beautified for GIM

C Shivakumar

Chennai:

The river bank of Adyar near Malar Hospital is being beautified as Chennai prepares to host Global Investment Meet from September 9 and 10.

A 1.2 km pathway is being created linking Kotturpuram with the road near Malar Hospital along the banks of the river.

A Chennai Corporation official said that the pathway is being built using wet mix. “It is not a road. It is a pathway being built for Global Investors Meet,” he said.

To a query on what will be the added attraction on the river bank for GIM, he said that Chennai Corporation is just executing the work.

“The pathway is laid by GIM organising committee headed by the education secretary,” said the official.

Workers at the site said that plans are on to have a laser show during the GIM. While the river bank is being fenced, it is believed the whole stretch would be illuminated during GIM.

But the pathway did not go well with environmental activists. Environmental activist Nityanand Jayaram said that Adyar river bank is ecologically sensitive and creating any pathway is in violation of Coastal Regulation Zone.

Meanwhile, the city is being spruced up for Global investment meet. The pathways are being beautified and corporation workers were seen in various stretches trying to give a new look to the city.

The meet has already generated excitement globally with eight countries partnering for the Meet along with 23 international and national business and economic organisations, including Confederation of Indian Industry.

The stretch along Guindy was adorned with posters pertaining to GIM. It is learnt that allocations worth Rs 3.46 crore has been made to beautify 52 roads.

Interestingly, Chennai corporation has started the work to beautify 52 roads. These include 22 bridges, 118 bus shelters, 85 centre medians and 3014 footpaths etc.

Interestingly, the Highways department and Chennai Traffic Police are also part of teams to undertake city beautification works. The state highways would be focussing on 10 roads while Chennai Traffic Police will focus on 49 roads