How is TN Revamping Chennai’s Public Spaces with New Footpaths and Beautification Projects?

Chennai, June 25 (NationPress) In a significant initiative to enhance pedestrian infrastructure and elevate the aesthetic quality of public spaces, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has announced plans to construct 200 km of new footpaths throughout the city, with an estimated investment of Rs 200 crore.

This effort is part of a broader vision to transform Chennai into a more pedestrian-friendly and visually appealing metropolis. To initiate the project, the civic authority has invited tenders for a private consultant for the first phase, allocating an initial design budget exceeding Rs one crore.

As per GCC officials, the consultant will be tasked with developing footpath designs that emphasize pedestrian safety, minimize conflicts between pedestrians and vehicles, and enhance comfort for walkers. “Our goal is to create high-quality, accessible, and continuous non-motorist transit (NMT) infrastructure across Chennai and manage its execution,” said a senior GCC official.

“To cultivate a genuinely walkable city, it is vital to intensify efforts ensuring safe, accessible, and uninterrupted pedestrian movement,” he added. According to the tender specifications, all designs must adhere to the latest Indian Roads Congress (IRC) standards, Complete Streets Guidelines, Harmonised Guidelines, and the GCC’s Inclusive Design Manual.

The proposed designs will ensure adequate footpath width, seating areas where necessary, and seamless integration with transit hubs such as MTC bus stops and Metro rail stations.

Additionally, the footpath designs will consider the unique character of individual streets, the existence of institutions, and areas with high public activity.

Alongside this pedestrian-centric initiative, the GCC has also released another tender for the yearly upkeep of beautified areas along Marina Beach, which includes central medians, roadside parks, fountains, and plantations.

Official records indicate that the civic body is responsible for maintaining 40,659 metres of central medians, 55 fountains, 45 roadside parks, 48 traffic islands, and tree plantations along the beach roads.

The successful bidder will be charged with daily maintenance tasks such as watering trees, shrubs, lawns, and other landscaped sections. Responsibilities will also encompass weed removal, waste clearance, debris disposal, and clearing dangerous materials like loose wires or cables.

Further obligations include pruning, trimming, and shaping plants and hedges, along with regular grass cutting.

The contractor must also install and maintain a water storage tank specifically for irrigating the plantations along the beach road. The tender documents outline strict penalties for non-compliance, with failure to meet maintenance standards potentially incurring fines ranging from Rs 25,000 to Rs 5 lakh per day.

“The tender process is currently ongoing, and we anticipate finalizing the successful bidder by the end of July. Work is expected to commence within 30 days of contract award,” the GCC official noted.

Through these dual initiatives, the Greater Chennai Corporation aims to redefine urban walkability and beautification standards across the city, fostering a safer and more enjoyable environment for both residents and visitors.