The Times of India 02.08.2021
Chennai makeover gathers pace as civic body steps on the pedal
Anna Nagar roundabout junction renovated with a tower lock and fountains
CHENNAI: The cash-strapped Greater Chennai Corporation is on a beautifying spree under the ‘Singara Chennai 2.0’ programme that will be unveiled later by chief minister M K Stalin.
At
least nine different projects including the mass cleaning drive that
began nine weeks ago and has so far removed 17,500 tonnes of garbage and
debris have been taken up.
least nine different projects including the mass cleaning drive that
began nine weeks ago and has so far removed 17,500 tonnes of garbage and
debris have been taken up.
About
77,000 posters have been removed from walls at 2,100 locations and
artwork and painting of walls projects ordered on three stretches. About
300 public toilets have been cleaned. Commissioner Gagandeep Singh Bedi
goes on regular inspections, ordering zonal engineers to plant
flowering plants on the pavements and road sides. A total of 99 medians
and traffic islands will sport fountains, plants, art work and statues
made out of scrap. New parks are being planned, too.
77,000 posters have been removed from walls at 2,100 locations and
artwork and painting of walls projects ordered on three stretches. About
300 public toilets have been cleaned. Commissioner Gagandeep Singh Bedi
goes on regular inspections, ordering zonal engineers to plant
flowering plants on the pavements and road sides. A total of 99 medians
and traffic islands will sport fountains, plants, art work and statues
made out of scrap. New parks are being planned, too.
Comprehensive
meetings are held every week with zonal officials and regional deputy
commissioners to finalize ideas to beautify major junctions such as
Madhya Kailash and city square. Powerpoint presentations are being made
for each zone on how major streets and junctions can be beautified
including by setting up water ponds, fountains and colourful lights.
meetings are held every week with zonal officials and regional deputy
commissioners to finalize ideas to beautify major junctions such as
Madhya Kailash and city square. Powerpoint presentations are being made
for each zone on how major streets and junctions can be beautified
including by setting up water ponds, fountains and colourful lights.
Unlike
earlier, when just one stretch like Pondy Bazaar was chosen for
beautification, the civic body wants to give the entire city an
aesthetic look. About 15 statues made of scrap have been placed at
prominent places like the Kathipara flyover, Indira Nagar, Besant Nagar
and the Marina.
earlier, when just one stretch like Pondy Bazaar was chosen for
beautification, the civic body wants to give the entire city an
aesthetic look. About 15 statues made of scrap have been placed at
prominent places like the Kathipara flyover, Indira Nagar, Besant Nagar
and the Marina.
Since end-May, when the mass cleaning programme –
the chief minister’s dream project – was taken up, workers have been
diligently at work in slums and on roads and pavements. Posters are
going from walls and the plan is to adorn them with artwork, but funding
is a problem. “We are looking to tie up with major IT companies and
other industries for CSR funds,” said chief engineer (roads), S
Rajendiran.
the chief minister’s dream project – was taken up, workers have been
diligently at work in slums and on roads and pavements. Posters are
going from walls and the plan is to adorn them with artwork, but funding
is a problem. “We are looking to tie up with major IT companies and
other industries for CSR funds,” said chief engineer (roads), S
Rajendiran.
As part of the plan to bring colour to streets including
beautifying 99 medians, residential welfare associations are being
roped in. Regional deputy commissioners and zonal officials have held
meetings to find people who can fund, repair and maintain them. “It has
to be a citizen centric movement. We will allow them to set up boards or
advertise,” said RDC (central) Sharanya Ari. In the next two weeks,
work on revamping at least 30 junctions/traffic islands in each region
on the lines of the Anna Nagar Roundabout will begin.
beautifying 99 medians, residential welfare associations are being
roped in. Regional deputy commissioners and zonal officials have held
meetings to find people who can fund, repair and maintain them. “It has
to be a citizen centric movement. We will allow them to set up boards or
advertise,” said RDC (central) Sharanya Ari. In the next two weeks,
work on revamping at least 30 junctions/traffic islands in each region
on the lines of the Anna Nagar Roundabout will begin.
The ultimate
aim, says Bedi, is to change the look and feel of the city. “When people
ride or drive around, they should be able to see the greenery, artwork
and experience beauty. More projects including renovating parks and
setting up new ones will be taken up. Once it is finalized, we will
share all details,” he said.
aim, says Bedi, is to change the look and feel of the city. “When people
ride or drive around, they should be able to see the greenery, artwork
and experience beauty. More projects including renovating parks and
setting up new ones will be taken up. Once it is finalized, we will
share all details,” he said.