Residents of north Chennai may soon turn benefactors of a luscious garden and recreational space in their locality.
An ornamental garden in Madhavaram, which will be the biggest botanical garden in the city, will be thrown open in a few months.
Spread over 28 acres, the garden is being developed at the State horticulture farm in Madhavaram Milk Colony. About 80 per cent of the civil work has been completed.
With the two-km-long footpath already laid, the site has become a haven for morning walkers in the area. Nearly 60 people from nearby areas such as Bank Colony and Annai Nagar take a stroll in the garden area, where work is fast progressing.
The project has brought cheer to residents of Madhavaram, who, until now had to travel on traffic-clogged roads to Perambur or even as far as Purasawalkam for an evening of recreation. K.V. Balasubramanian, a resident of KKR Town, Madhavaram said: “The botanical garden in the area will provide a lung space to the locality. We have just one or two small parks. I have to travel 8 km just to watch a movie at a cinema in Perambur or Kolathur.”
With more people likely to visit the garden in Madhavaram, which is 20 km from Broadway, residents are also hoping the civic amenities in their area will be spruced up. Besides improved infrastructure, the locality also needs better transport connectivity, residents said.
The garden is being developed at a cost of Rs. 5.73 crore. Work is on at full swing to construct a food court, ticket counters and a compound wall. Visitors will get a view of the lake from a small bridge built to attract birds. According to officials of the horticulture department, the garden will be a feast for the eyes with nearly 400 species of plants.
A glasshouse on the lines of the one in the garden at Udhagamandalam will also be created. Visitors will be able to get a taste of different types of gardens, including herbal, flowers, bonsai and trellis gardens.
To entertain children, the garden will have mazes, a dedicated play area, cascades and numerous fountains.
An open-air theatre will be built with a capacity to seat nearly 150 people. People will also be able to take home saplings from a nursery outlet at the garden. The project is expected to be completed by February.
