Edappaddi K Palaniswami launches world-class Pedestrian Plaza in T Nagar

CHENNAI: Chief Minister Edappaddi K. Palaniswami on Wednesday evening inaugurated the Pedestrian Plaza at Pondy Bazaar in T. Nagar here and said Tamil Nadu ranked 8th in the country in terms of executing the Smart City projects.

“The Pedestrian Plaza constructed at about Rs 40 crore and the smart roads built for Rs. 20 crore are extraordinarily attractive and beautiful. These are world-class and help the people to cruise around smoothly,” Mr. Palaniswami who went around the area in battery-operated car, said. Speaking to reporters he said the 11 Smart City projects across Tamil Nadu was apace under the joint auspices of Centre and State governments and they would be completed as scheduled.

At certain stretches, especially near the divisional unit of Chennai Metro Water in T Nagar, the civic body has painted murals on the walls. Provision has been made near the Panagal Park for smart bikes. There are no hawkers or signboards in the entire stretch. CCTV cameras that have been fixed would monitor illegally parked vehicles.

Three more areas in the metro - Anna Nagar, Tondiarpet and Velachery - may also get pedestrian plazas with the Chennai Corporation taking up a study on a few pockets for utility ducting, an underground passage to carry utility lines such as electricity, water and sewage connections; and creating public spaces.

Fisheries Minister D. Jayakumar, Municipal Administration Minister S. P. Velumani, Corporation commissioner G. Prakash and principal secretary to Government, Harmander Singh participated.