P.T. Rajan Salai waits for pavements

A world-class footpath with a cycling track was planned a year ago. It remains on paper still

February 07, 2015 03:49 pm | Updated 03:49 pm IST - CHENNAI

The platforms were supposed to be laid a year ago but the huge granite blocks have been left on the stretch unattended at P.T. Rajan Salai. Photo: R. Ravindran

The platforms were supposed to be laid a year ago but the huge granite blocks have been left on the stretch unattended at P.T. Rajan Salai. Photo: R. Ravindran

A broad road, with a cycling track and footpath for pedestrians: this was the promise made to the residents of K.K. Nagar at P.T. Rajan Salai over a year ago. The promise remains fulfilled. There are people like Saravanan who think it will never be. You can’t blame them for such pessimism. Not a portion of work has been taken up yet.

“Huge stone blocks were unloaded at 10 different points over six months ago for laying platforms. We thought the work would soon begin.

Today, the stone blocks just lie there, exposed to the vagaries of the weather. A few of them have broken into twos. The project was doomed to fail from the start. Why spend so much and procure material when there is no intention of taking up the work,” asks Saravanan, a resident of MGR Nagar.

Prabha, whose ward studies in a school in the vicinity, says if not a cycling track, at least a footpath should be laid. “When the stone blocks are there, why should it take so long for the Corporation to start the work. There are many schools in the vicinity and the safety of children walking on the roads is also a concern. A proper footpath is badly needed on this busy stretch, which sees heavy traffic movement.”

What residents are complaining about is that platforms are being laid in the interior streets of K.K. Nagar, where they are hardly used.

“They have constructed new walkways in Natesan Road and Bobbli Raja Salai. These places don’t need a new pavement. Hardly do people use these stretches. In contrast, P.T. Rajan Salai is used by many pedestrians and a pavement is a must,” adds. Saravanan.

M. Gunasekaran, ward councillor, is not sure if the project will be a successful one. “There are cable lines running underground. A trench must be dug up to make repair work easy once the concrete platforms are laid. The EB, along with Metro Water, has been undertaking surveys since a month ago. But, I am not sure if the project will work out. P.T. Rajan Salai doesn’t look suitable for having a world-class pavement.”

But, others like Raj Cherubal are optimistic. “The project is likely to be re-tendered this month. There are plans to create ducts for EB wires and more chambers for easy access in case of repairs. Also pre-cast platforms are likely to be used using rubber moulds,” says the director (projects), Chennai City Connect.

On whether such a platform would be beneficial to pedestrians, he says, “Based on our survey of the 26 roads which are in the process of having new platforms, 9 out of 10 people have been using the new footpaths. It is not just beneficial to pedestrians but also helps regulate traffic. In P.T. Rajan Salai too this will work out.”

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