Greater Chennai Corporation commissioner asks officials to expedite Royapuram Pedestrian Plaza

Chennai: Dr G S Sameeran, Greater Chennai Corporation commissioner, on Friday inspected ongoing work on the pedestrian plaza along MC Road at Royapuram. He directed officials to expedite the project as it has been incomplete for more than a year due to long pending issues on relocating underground transmission lines and removing encroachments.

Several portions of the road have been dug up, affecting commute with barely half of the 1km stretch being completed. The civic body is executing the project under the Singara Chennai 2.0 scheme at an estimated cost of ₹23.04 crore in wards 49 and 51.

The work includes laying granite cobbles on roads, developing pedestrian walkways, installing artistic streetlights and signage boards, and upgrading stormwater drains and sewage canals to transform MC Road into a landmark public space. Sameeran directed officers to ensure the work is done by the end of this year.

The commissioner also visited an Amma Unavagam canteen inside the Government Stanley Medical College Hospital campus in ward 52. He interacted with the public regarding the quality of food and services. He then instructed staff to maintain cleanliness in the kitchen and ensure quality food for visitors.

Sameeran later inspected the Robinson playground in ward 51 and Anna Park in ward 52, and interacted with children and walkers using the facility, discussing the amenities available. He also reviewed the maintenance of the free public toilet inside Robinson playground and instructed workers to keep the premises clean.

At Moolakothalam burial ground in ward 53, Sameeran reviewed ongoing maintenance and development works and instructed officials to improve greenery by planting saplings and creating landscaped lawns while ensuring cleanliness at the facility.