Space beneath 13 flyovers in city all set for makeover

NGO City Connect gives design inputs to Chennai Corporation

Residents of the city may soon have more recreation spaces at an unlikely venue – beneath flyovers. The Chennai Corporation has planned to turn untidy, unused areas beneath all its flyovers into vibrant public spaces. Accepting many of the proposals made by a consultant City Connect, an NGO, for optimum use of space beneath five flyovers at a meeting on Thursday, the civic body decided to cover all the flyovers in the city under the beautification scheme.

Mayor Saidai S. Duraisamy has now asked the consultant to submit a report on use of the space beneath all 13 flyovers maintained by the civic body. Flyovers to be covered in the first phase are those on Royapettah High Road, Dr. Radhakrishnan Road near The Music Academy, T.T.K. Road in Alwarpet, Cenotaph Road and Sardar Patel Road. After the consultant submits the report, the civic body will implement work on the utilisation of the space beneath all the flyovers.

Sriram Ganapathi, who is on a team of architects working with City Connect on this project, said the beautification of spaces beneath flyovers will not consume any additional road space. “We will focus on giving pedestrians more access to this space,” he said.

Each of the flyovers will display local flavours of Chennai. The proposal for the R.K. Salai flyover will depict the city's identity as a centre for music. The Pantheon Road flyover will bear an archaeological flavour and the Sardar Patel Road flyover may display elements of education, due to its proximity to reputable institutions.

Mr. Ganapathy said a sunken gallery space would be created by excavating earth beneath the R.K. Salai flyover.Plans to install panels with LED fittings for lighting and solar pipes, and landscaping of an 80 metre-stretch, promise to make the area visually appealing. The solar pipes function by total internal reflection and will provide natural lighting in the landscaped areas. U-turns and zebra crossings will be demarcated with inputs from traffic police.

“We have recommended that space be created for an ambulance and police vehicles. We have also thought of renting bicycles for tourists who wish to go for a ride nearby,” he said. Public conveniences will also come up. A central mound with landscaping will make encroachments impossible.

Raj Cherubal of City Connect said: “This will enliven these spaces and add life to different localities.”