The City Municipal Corporation has dropped the proposal to construct a new subway near the Dr. M.G.R. Integrated Bus Terminus (New Bus Stand) at a cost of Rs. 1.15 crore and instead decided to construct pedestrian pathways on both sides of Meyyanur Main Road at the same cost.
Traffic congestion
Frequent movement of vehicles on Omalur Main Road near the bus stand led to traffic congestion as pedestrians find it difficult to cross the road.
The civic body had proposed to construct a subway for the benefit of the pedestrians and had obtained sanction orders.
Though tenders were floated three times, no contractor expressed interest to take up the work.
The State Government had last year announced that a road overbridge would be constructed from Five Road Junction to Four Road Junction for a length of 2,350 m on Omalur Main Road.
If the proposed bridge is to be established, the subway will be of little help to the pedestrians and hence the civic body decided to drop it.
The Corporation officials told The Hindu that the stretch from the entry point on the southern side of the bus stand to Meyyanur Main Road had commercial establishments and five cinema theatres, and was busy with movement of vehicles.
Street lights
Pedestrians were finding it difficult to move on the stretch and hence, the Corporation decided to construct pedestrian pathways on both sides of the road and install street lights at a total cost of Rs. 1.15 crore, they added.
The Corporation would soon submit a project report to the Commissionerate of Municipal Administration, Chennai, for obtaining administrative sanctions.
Also, steps would be taken to obtain necessary funds from the Directorate of Town and Country Planning, they said.