CHENNAI: Chief Minister MK Stalin, on Tuesday, threw open the Mambalam skywalk. He walked across the pedestrian bridge with corporation commissioner J Radhakrishnan, Mayor R Priya and Municipal Administration Minister KN Nehru, among others.
CM Stalin also interacted with people at Ranganathan Street and accepted petitions and took selfies.
According to corporation officials, the 570m foot overbridge (FOB) is the longest in the country and was constructed at a cost of Rs 28.5 crore with Smart City funds and has approach staircases at the T Nagar bus terminus and Ranganathan Street, market road near foot overbridge in Mambalam railway station.
Along with the staircases, the bridge also has escalators leading up to the deck from the T Nagar bus terminus and two passenger lifts at South Usman Road (MLA office) and Ranganathan Street near Mambalam railway FOB. It also has CCTV surveillance, public address systems and washrooms.
It has taken the project, which was first drawn up in 2016, seven years to come to its completion due to tender-related delays and the pandemic.
“I was able to try out the skywalk today and it helped me avoid the congestion in Ranganathan Street and the escalator is helpful for senior citizens and others who are tired after shopping or work,” said K Elumalai of T Nagar. The structure is set to benefit pedestrians crossing from the T Nagar bus terminus to the Mambalam railway station while helping them avoid taking Usman Road, Natesan Street or Ranganathan Street.