There’s nothing like a patch of greenery to soothe the eye when one is driving along a dry stretch of road. The State Highways Department will soon replace the open space near the Koyambedu Grade Separator with a park. Though it will not be open to the public it will be landscaped, with a variety of plants.
About 22 sqm of space along the curve of the flyover will be used for the park, which will be constructed at a cost of Rs 1.1 crore as part of the department’s beautification drive. Highways Department officials say that the space will have more than 20 varieties of plants.
The work for the park has already begun, with the ground being levelled and a fence put up. The idea behind the landscaping is to check encroachment and misuse in the area. “People have been misusing and dirtying the place. We want to give it a pleasant look. The contractor setting up the park will maintain it for a year,” said a Highways Department official.
Motorists will have a passing view of the park, which is likely to be ready by the end of June. “If not for the residents of Koyambedu, they can at least open it for those travelling on bikes so they can take a break and rest,” said Rajesh, a resident of Koyambedu.
The highways officials do not want to leave it open to the public as it will be risky for people to cross the road to reach the park, which is in the middle of the busy 100 feet road.
