One of the major lung spaces in the city, Thiru Vi Ka Park in Shenoy Nagar, will be closed for three years from April next year to facilitate construction of a Metro Rail underground station.
“Construction of the station in the park is the only option to avoid acquisition of private land in the locality,” said K.Rajaraman, Managing Director of Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL).
“Permitting people in the park during the work is likely to increase the risk of accidents. So we have been advised the authorities not to permit people in the park,” he added. Nehru Park on Poonamallee High Road and May Day Park in Chintadripet are the other parks where such stations will be constructed.
Around 50 per cent of the area of Thiru.Vi.Ka Park is required for the project and the station would come up in the centre of the park. After completion of the work, greenery would be restored in the remaining area of the park, he said.
Thiru.Vi.Ka Park is spread over 8.8 acres and was opened in November 2008 after renovation, which was undertaken at a cost of a little over Rs.1.50 crore.
