Chennai: In a significant move to enhance pedestrian infrastructure, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) is set to demolish and reconstruct 100km of city pavements using concrete. This ambitious project, aimed at making pavements more walkable, primarily targets bus route roads, which span a total of 387km.
Many of these pavements, originally laid a decade ago, have deteriorated due to repeated civic utility works. The refurbishment will introduce class-B pavements, simpler than the sophisticated T Nagar pedestrian plaza but equipped with essential amenities such as benches at select locations. “These pavements will feature grills to prevent encroachments and vehicular intrusions. We will also refurbish pavements over existing underground utilities to avoid new digging,” stated an official from the GCC.
The project is planned in two phases, with the first phase covering 50km of key roads. Initial roads selected for refurbishment include Haddows Road, Harrington Road, Lloyds Road, Anna Salai, Anna Nagar Shanthi Colony’s interior roads, Ayanavaram Main Road, and Anna Main Road in KK Nagar. Although the full budget is yet to be finalized, preliminary estimates suggest it will cost about ₹8 lakh per kilometre for a pavement width of 7m, and up to ₹1.8 crore for streets with a width of 15m.
In addition to structural improvements, the GCC also plans to enhance greenery along these pavements by planting saplings every 15m, housed in steel cylindrical enclosures. This initiative aims to create a more pleasant walking environment and contribute to the city’s green cover. An engineer from the special projects department highlighted the broader social benefits of these improvements, noting that they will positively impact 610 schools, 174 anganwadis, and 220 economically weaker settlements. “The network will connect parks, hospitals, and other public facilities,” he added.
Experts emphasize the necessity for high construction quality and a comprehensive survey of existing underground utilities to ensure the longevity and functionality of the new pavements. Proper coordination with utility agencies is essential to prevent future damage from maintenance and development works. The GCC’s initiative marks a proactive step towards improving urban infrastructure, reflecting a commitment to enhancing the daily lives of Chennai’s residents through well-planned and executed public works projects. As the city prepares for this significant transformation, the focus remains on ensuring that the new pavements are durable, accessible, and beneficial to all segments of the population.
