CHENNAI: The congested streets of T Nagar, one of the city’s biggest commercial hubs, will soon sport a new look as part of the smart city initiative. Under the first phase of the initiative, tenders have been floated to redesign nearly 22.2 km of streets in the locality. Post the makeover, it is expected that there will be wider and continuous footpaths, safe pedestrian crossings and separate cycle tracks.
As part of the non-motorised transport (NMT) project that looks to reclaim walking spaces, the Chennai Smart City Ltd. is to redesign all major arterial streets in T Nagar, According to sources, the redesigned streets will satisfy the needs of all users - a scenario unlike today. Hawkers, building violations and narrow footpaths mark T Nagar streets at present. The current proposal has considered all factors including intersections and unused space under flyovers.
Sources said the pre-bid meeting is likely to take place in the next few days. The project takes into account the needs and behaviours of street-users that have been observed in the surveys undertaken under the project while looking at a larger network including intersections and the unused space under flyovers also.
“This network has been divided into four packages of 5-6 km each with 1-2 package (s) per consultant; ensuring uniformity in design language and better integration on ground,” the source said
According to sources, the design will also include ‘mobility elements’ such as footpaths, cycle tracks, carriageways while also including trees, bus stops, street furniture and organised vending spaces.
