Pedal past traffic in Adyar, Besant Nagar soon

TNN | Nov 8, 2017, 23:42 IST

CHENNAI: If you have been cycling around Island Grounds, Sardar Patel Road, Adyar and Besant Nagar wary of the traffic brushing past you, then there is good news. The areas have been finalised for development of the Smart City's dedicated 17km-long network of cycle track.

As part of the project, various roads across the city that are wide enough and have pavement space will be developed to accommodate cycling tracks with an aim to promote non-motorised transport system. In the board meeting of Chennai Smart City Limited (CSCL) held last month, the project was approved and tenders are expected to be floated soon.

"We have identified roads in the city wide enough to have a cycle track. Apart from the track, reflective bollards and signboards for the safety of the cyclists will be set up," said a source.

As part of the proposal, the track around Island Grounds will be developed along Adam Street, Mount Road, Flag Staff Road and a part of Kamarajar Promenade near Napier Bridge. Similarly, it is planned to develop the track on Sardar Patel Road connecting it to Velachery Road till Raj Bhavan junction. It will be extended along Sardar Patel Road to parts of Adyar and Besant Nagar, including the Elliot's Beach.

Kasturibai Nagar Second Cross Street, M G Road in Adyar, Besant Avenue Road, Thiru-Vi-Ka Bridge and a part of D G S Dinakaran Road are the areas in Adyar and Besant Nagar to be covered under the project.

The cycle track in K K Nagar was developed by widening the pavements and introducing a concrete carriageway - costing the civic body Rs 3 crore for the 3.8km-long stretch. Sources said the new project is estimated to cost Rs 36 lakh as it would involve improving the existing roads to accommodate a cycle track along the road and streamline traffic. "The project will not take more than a month after the work order is passed as no new construction will be taken up. Improvements to infrastructure will be made keeping cyclists in mind," said a senior corporation official.

Focusing on the long-term scope of the cycle track project, CSCL will look to develop dedicated tracks for cycling along the beaches, parks, canals and river banks, sources said.

"Along the beaches, roads in most areas are wide enough. In consultation with architects, we are looking to develop cycle tracks along the coastal roads. It is possible for someone to cycle from north Chennai to south Chennai along the coastal line if a track is developed along the road. We will be looking for more development in that direction," said a source. "To prevent encroachments, bollards are a must. Thermoplastic paints and stencilling will be used on the tracks for directions and markings."