The Chennai Corporation has been revamping several Corporation parks and playgrounds. The latest addition to this list is the park on the Ambedkar Road–Ashok Nagar stretch.
The park is being renovated and the work is expected to be completed by September and thrown open for public soon after.
The improvement work includes creating a larger play area for children. Additional facilities include granite flooring for walkers, a fountain and more LED lights.
“On request from regular walkers, we have decided to lay granite flooring with anti-skid feature,” says LIC M. Manickam, Zonal Chairman, Kodambakkam.
The highlight would be the tower clock, which is programmed to announce the time every hour along with a recital of couplet from 'Thirukkural', followed by a commentary of it.
“We have also planned to create a roadside park abutting the compound wall of this park to prevent people from using the pavement as an open toilet. Earlier, we devised a similar strategy for the compound wall of the playground, which lies next to this park and it has worked out well. So, we want to execute a similar plan here too,” Manickam adds.
Keeping in view the hardships faced by residents, the Corporation has planned to make that stretch a ‘No Entry’ area.
The park has several attractions to draw people in. In the areas around the park, one finds features that could repel people.
Rajalakshmi, one of the residents of Kodambakkam, says, “I avoid the park for several reasons. One, sewage overflows from a manhole just opposite the park. Poor lighting near the park is another deterrent.
The park is located in a busy section, which brings a few problems. It is bordered by the Rangarajpuram Main Road on the East side, and Ambedkar Road and Arcot Road on the West. Bus route no. 12C plies on Rangarajapuram Main Road, which is dotted with small shops, hospitals and apartments. Due to this, the road outside the park gets extremely busy and crowded with many vehicles, including heavy vehicles, passing by. Of course, I am happy about the renovation, and think things will improve. I am witnessing some progress every day, and hope the renovated park will open soon.”
