Chennai MC Road Plaza Project Delays Create Daily Challenges For Pedestrians And Children
Chennai’s MC Road has turned into a daily challenge for pedestrians and children as delays in the city’s long-planned pedestrian plaza project leave footpaths dug up, encroached by two-wheelers, and congested with construction activity. The 1-kilometre stretch from Cemetery Junction to BSNL Junction, part of a ₹27.3 crore World Bank-funded initiative, was designed to provide safe walkways, play areas, artistic lighting, and civic amenities, but stalled sewer and drainage work has extended disruption, raising safety concerns.
The bustling MC Road hosts shops, small-scale industries, and street vendors, making pedestrian access crucial for residents and businesses alike. While the plaza aims to transform the area with cobblestone footpaths, entry nodes, and pick-up/drop-off bays, ongoing underground utility works—only 60 per cent completed—have forced commuters to navigate hazards daily. Children walking to school, in particular, face risks from open trenches and moving construction machinery.City officials have provided alternative parking behind the construction zone, but shopkeepers find it inconvenient, citing distance as a key barrier. A GCC official noted that while temporary night shelters and traffic management measures can mitigate risks, long-term pedestrian safety depends on completing the plaza and integrating it with broader street infrastructure planning.
Urban mobility experts emphasise that Chennai lacks centralised guidelines for pedestrian safety, unlike cities such as Ahmedabad and Kochi. According to ITDP India, properly designed, well-lit, and debris-free walkways are essential to ensure safe urban movement, especially in dense market areas with high pedestrian traffic. They argue that pedestrian-centric planning should accompany any major street redevelopment project to prevent prolonged disruption and hazards.
Officials also noted progress on other pedestrian plazas in Chennai, including Guindy Race Course and Velachery MRTS, which are expected to be completed within a year. Planners hope that once finished, the MC Road plaza will not only improve pedestrian safety but also support local businesses, enhance urban aesthetics, and encourage sustainable mobility, creating a more walkable and inclusive city environment.
