After a lull for a few months, the Uyyakondan riverfront development project, which is aimed at providing various amenities along the canal in the city limit, has picked up pace.
The project, taken up at an estimate of ₹17.56 crore, is expected to be completed by January 2021.
Though the work was formally inaugurated on Pongal day in January, the company that bagged the contract actually began work only in April. The work then slowed down for a while. With the deployment of workforce — both skilled and unskilled workers — from the north and northeastern States, the project has gained momentum.
The workers, numbering about 50, have been given shelter at the project site.
Besides raising concrete walls to earmark the project site and road space for the 2.6 km out of the 8.7 km length of the canal in the city limits, a culvert has been constructed on Kuzhumayi Amman Temple Road.
Work on laying of foundation for three public parks and amphitheatre has begun. The work site from MGR statue to Kuzhumayi Amman Temple has been divided into four parts to carry out works simultaneously. It is said be to accelerated further in the next two to three weeks.
Corporation Commissioner N. Ravichandran told The Hindu that the project was progressing well. A concrete shape of the proposed facilities along Uyyakondan canal might emerge in the second week of October. Chances were bright for completion of the project before the scheduled date.
Formation of pathway, construction of retaining wall, establishment of parks and provision of road site streetlights were among the features. A bio-fencing would be established for 2,600 metres along the canal in order to prevent people from littering.
Mr. Ravichandran said three public parks would be established along the left bank. A total of 430 granite stone benches would be placed at different locations. The entire 2.6 km stretch would have landscaped gardening. Roads on both banks of the canal would be developed to improve mobility and connectivity. There was also provision for jogging and walking tracks. An open stage with amphitheatre, with a capacity to accommodate 200 persons, would also be constructed on the left bank of the canal to conduct art and cultural shows.
