Chennai Corporation has applied to the World Bank, seeking partial funding for the makeover of T. Nagar. World Bank officials on Friday met their counterparts from Chennai Corporation to explore funding options for projects such as a pedestrian plaza in T. Nagar, redesign of Panagal Park, a skywalk connecting Mambalam railway station and T. Nagar bus terminus and stormwater drains in added areas.
“We have sought a sum of Rs. 50 crore from the World Bank for various aspects of the T. Nagar makeover. The projects likely to get funding from the World Bank will be identified next week,” said an official of Chennai Corporation.
The skywalk connecting Mambalam railway station and T. Nagar bus terminus is likely to pass over Ranganathan Street and Usman Road, the official said.
Priority is likely to be given to funding the skywalk and pedestrianisation of the 1,400 m of Thyagaraya Road from Bashyam Road near Panagal Park to Chevalier Shivaji Ganesan Road. The project includes creation of cycle tracks. The civic body will float bids for development of the plaza after the Lok Sabha polls.
The plaza will emerge as a busy intersection of art and commerce where buildings would have animated electric, neon and illuminated signs.
Lanes will be carved for public transport in a 7-metre-wide northern portion of Thyagaraya Road. The southern side will be for pedestrians highlighting various commercial themes unique to the city.
