Velachery-Perungudi MRTS stretch to be revamped

Chennai: Perungudi-Velachery MRTS Station Road, which was lying abandoned for nearly three decades, is set to turn into a bustling commercial avenue on the lines of Anna Nagar Second Avenue, with shops, green spaces and walkways.Greater Chennai Corporation, which took over maintenance of the road from Southern Railway last month, has roped in a consultant to prepare a detailed project report to restore the road. GCC will transform this road into a 'complete street' at a cost of 15 crore. When redeveloped, this road may become the city's next big nightlife spot.This 3-km stretch, a crucial link for Taramani and Perungudi, is used by at least 3,000 commuters to reach MRTS stations and Velachery 100-Feet Road daily.The project features end-to-end broad walkways, which are 2-3 metres wide on each side. Currently, there are no pavements, and people walk on top slabs of decades-old stormwater drains to board MRTS, which is uncomfortable and dangerous."We are creating an urban gathering space near Perungudi station. We will allow people to hold events there," said Adyar zonal officer P V Srinivasan. The damaged centre-medians will be rebuilt with greenery, apart from lighting arrangements and sitting areas near the MRTS station.GCC also plans to turn the space into a vending zone and create commercial areas allowing food stalls and flea markets such as Kathipara Urban Square. About 80 shops of 50 sqft each are being planned on the pavements on the railway track side. Officials said this will keep the road bright in the evenings and safe too."We are also restoring the 50-acre Kallukuttai lake along the road. Boating will be allowed here," added Srinivasan. The 60-feet wide road will get trees every five metres and three parks at Velachery, Kallukuttai, and Perungudi in about two grounds area each. These are poramboke land that's been encroached, and GCC plans to reclaim them. Srinivasan said the project will begin by Feb after the DPR is prepared.Apart from this, nearly seven encroachments are being removed in the new pond at Velachery. S Babjee, an urban planner who redesigned a stretch beneath Velachery flyover for GCC, said the road has no specific character except for local residential travel. "GCC must bring people here by identifying land alongside and creating businesses. This can also be developed into a stretch connecting those coming from the airport to OMR," he said.The road is crucial for flood mitigation as at least 5,000 cusecs of water from Taramani, Perungudi, and Velachery neighbourhoods flow through the canals here and pass underneath the road to reach the Pallikaranai marsh next to Velachery MRTS.