Over 6,200 students in 15 schools in Anna Nagar, who use bicycles, will be assured of a safe ride with the Chennai Corporation planning to create cycle tracks on several important roads in the area.
Roads, including the 1st, 2nd, 4th and 6th Avenues and 100 ft Road, where schools are located or lead to educational institutions would get such tracks.
“Traffic on interior roads where several schools are located would be calmed through various measures,” said Raj Cherubal, Coordinator, Chennai City Connect, a non-governmental organisation that is offering consultancy to the civic body. Dividers and strategically placed trees are few of the proposals, he added. “Using different techniques, we would ensure that everybody will be able to commute safely and that vehicles cannot zip through these neighbourhoods.” The bicycle tracks are part of the proposed pilot project in Anna Nagar to improve conditions for pedestrians, cyclists, vendors, and other non-motorised users of the street. The project will improve physical infrastructure on these main roads using the Complete Streets principles and designs proposed by the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP).
Michael Ronkin, consultant to the ITDP, which is partnering with CCC to implement the project, has finished a preliminary study of the area. Apart from cycle tracks, walkways, drainage, designated parking areas, streetscaping/landscaping and space for utilities would be created. The project not only aims to segregate traffic in Anna Nagar but also improve parking facilities. CCC's final report with the final engineering drawings, details of materials to be used and cost of implementation is expected to be submitted to the Corporation in three months.
