Not in use for 3 decades, but soon residents could walk, skate, cycling etc on this important road stretch in south Chennai!!
The Chennai residents would be able to walk, do skating and cycling etc in the weekends on the 3km stretch between Velachery and Perungudi. All credit for this must go to the Chennai Corporation for taking huge efforts. It is noteworthy that Rs 15 cr restoration work on this stretch would be completed soon.
It is superb to note that once the restoration works get over this 3km stretch would be used for roller skating, cycling, marathons etc during the weekends as the traffic would be closed on this road stretch.
As per the GCC Commissioner Mr. J. Kumaragurubaran it was clear that police permission has been sought to close this stretch during the weekends. He added that initially it would be for just 3 hours in the morning and would be extended based on the response from the public. It seems that the residents want this stretch for fitness activities.
It must be recalled that since Railways abandoned the stretch in 1995 it has not been used for nearly 3 decades. Bitter fact is that the area became useless due to encroachments plus due to sewage stagnation, poor lighting facilities, overgrown seeds etc.
It was explained by the GCC Commissioner that in 2024 GCC took charge of the stretch from Railways and began restoration works like restoring medians, building pavements, relaying roads, and installing street lights etc. The stretch would be ready in another 2 weeks as most of the restoration works have been completed. The residents want proper arrangements for parking plus stricter hawker regulations here.
It was pointed out by a resident from AGS Colony RWA that if people were allowed to use the road then more cars would come. She added that parking lots must be created and hawkers must be banned fully.
