CHENNAI: Construction of skywalks at Mambalam and Broadway will start in four months, according to Mayor Saidai S Duraisamy, who took part in a stakeholders’ meet on seeking public opinion on Wednesday.
A Rs 22 crore 0.6 kilometre skywalk is to come up between Mambalam railway station and T Nagar bus depot, while a Rs 67 crore 1.87 kilometre skywalk would connect Chennai Fort with Beach railway stations besides Broadway, High Court complex, Flower Bazaar police station and Parrys Corner.
Presenting the feasibility report, project consultants CDM Smith said that the skywalks would be equipped with escalators, ramps and tactile strips to help the visually challenged; LED lamps, solar power panels, CCTV cameras, rain water harvesting mechanism, flower vases for decoration and garbage bins.
Covered on top, the skywalks would have pull-out ladders to escape via the sides in case of an emergency.
The four metre wide skywalk, supported by columns with a ground clearance of 5.5 metre, would require no land acquisition, demolition or eviction.
During the meet, traders occupying space on Railway Border Road in Mambalam expressed doubts as to whether skywalk columns would restrict movement of goods lorries. A trader asked for the project to be dropped saying that it would affect small-time street vendors adversely.
The skywalk at Mambalam would have four entry/exit points while the one at Broadway would have eight such points.
The longer arm of the Broadway skywalk between Flower Bazaar police station and Beach railway station would run entirely on the centre median space. The design of this skywalk would be in consonance with the heritage buildings that lie along its way and have pillars coloured such that it resembles the High Court.
The project still requires undertaking of geotechnical surveys and the Broadway skywalk needs clearance from the Heritage Conservation Committee before a detailed project report can be prepared.
Changes to the plans or other suggestions can be forwarded to the corporation and consultants via email at mayor@chennaicorporation.gov.in and jeenap@cdmsmith.com. For enqiries over the phone, the number 09380492952 can be contacted. The last date for receipt of suggestions is May 16.