Following success in other cities, the concept of closing a stretch of a popular road for traffic so as to encourage residents to have fun together was launched , in Madurai on Sunday.
The Suguna Stores-Ambika Theatre stretch of 80-Feet-Road in Anna Nagar was closed for three hours in the morning for the ‘Happy Street’ programme. There were a slew of programmes for the residents to choose from - cycling, table tennis, dance, yoga - and the children enjoyed every minute of it.
Corporation Commissioner Sandeep Nanduri mingled with the participants. Many children went for a cycle ride with the Commissioner, who also played table tennis with the youngsters. “It was lively. There was absolutely no noise since vehicles were prohibited,” Darshana, a Plus One student, said.
Ramanathan from Tahsildar Nagar said, “The ‘Happy Street’ programme took me back to the 80s when the road was broad. By removing roadside encroachments, there can be more carriage space and it can be exclusively earmarked for cyclists,” he suggested.
Many, who came with their families, took a stroll on the road from one end to the other. The cynosure was a live band which belted popular numbers much to the merriment of the youth.
The Commissioner said the programme would be conducted on the first Sunday of every month.
Utilising the large turnout, the officials campaigned on plastic ban, clean surroundings and prevention of dengue-like diseases.
