CM Stalin inaugurates city’s second pedestrian plaza on Khader Nawaz Khan Road

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Thursday inaugurated the pedestrian plaza on Khader Nawaz Khan Road in Nungambakkam. The project was implemented at ₹19.81 crore.

After the inauguration of the stretch from Uthamar Gandhi Salai junction to Shafi Mohammed Road junction, which was implemented as part of the Complete Streets Project of the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC), visitors started pouring in, leading to traffic congestion in parts of the stretch.

The GCC has developed play areas, cobblestone carriageway, a walkway for persons with disabilities, seating arrangements, lighting, and stormwater drains along the 650-metre- stretch of Khader Nawaz Khan Road. This is the second pedestrian plaza in the city after the one in T. Nagar.

Surbhi Mehta, who is part of a business establishment on the stretch, said the street looked beautiful because of the pedestrian plaza. “This will attract tourists. The number of visitors is expected to increase. This will be among the best in the country,” she said. Litan Mia, an employee from Tripura, said the road had improved after the creation of the pedestrian plaza. 

Mohamed Thameem Ansari, a delivery agent, said a large number of people visited the stretch after midnight, creating reels on socialmedia. “The hotels remain open till 3 a.m. There is a huge rush then,” he said.

The Greater Chennai Traffic Police and the GCC plan to permit one-way traffic from the Rutland Gate Fifth Street junction towards Uthamar Gandhi Salai.

Cars were found parked in slots meant only for dropping visitors. Vehicles werenot permitted to enter from UthamarGandhi Salai as the road was blocked at the UthamarGandhiSalai-Khader Nawaz Khan Road junction due to Metrorail work.

Dinesh, who works at a business establishment on the stretch, said the decision to reduce the width of the carriageway for increasing the space for pedestrians had prevented heavy vehicles from entering the road.

Manikanda Prabhu, a delivery agent, said, “The road used to be flooded. Huge pipes have been laid to drain water during the monsoon.” 

A. Rama Krishnan, an employee of another establishment on the stretch, said many business establishments on the stretch faced financial losses as inadequate parking space kept visitors away. “The parking spaces have been converted into pedestrian spaces. Visitors refuse to use the basement parking area. So, we lose revenue,” he said.

GCC officials said they would create more parking spaces near the stretch.