In a welcome move for pedestrians, chock-a-block city spaces may soon be turned into no-vehicle zones.
No vehicle zones and pedestrian safe zones in the city may soon become a reality.
Stretches such as South Usman Road, Purasawalkam High Road, Thyagaraya Road, Wallajah Road and some roads in Mylapore may be part of the ‘no-vehicle zone’ proposal.
The idea was discussed by a group of experts at a recent workshop organised by Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority, and it is likely to become ‘workable inputs for government policy soon’.
The creation of no-vehicle zones will also promote public transport, an official said.
Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority proposes to facilitate mobility of over 60 per cent of commuters using public transport by 2018. Only about 35 per cent of people use public transport at present.
Other proposals made by the expert group include expanded study of densification of mass transit system, congestion pricing in areas such as Purasawakkam, George Town and T. Nagar, detailed development plans for walkways around major transportation hubs, pilot cycle routes along Chennai beach and creation of Chennai City Parking Management Company.
The parking management initiative is likely to be a special purpose vehicle of the Chennai Corporation and the traffic police. Experts have also suggested zone-specific strategies for devising parking tariffs.
The company will be responsible for collection of real-time data on traffic and monitor contract staff that regulate parking spaces.
