Chennai to build 200 km of new pavements

Chennai's Greater Chennai Corporation will construct 200 kilometers of pavements in the city. The project will cost 200 crore rupees. Municipal Minister K N Nehru announced this initiative in the assembly on Tuesday. In addition to the pavements, Nehru revealed plans for restoration work on the Virugambakkam and Otteri Nullah canals. This work will also cost 95 crore rupees and aims to reduce flooding in nearby areas like Arumbakkam and Anna Nagar. The government will allocate 52 crore rupees to enhance rainwater harvesting structures around the city. Another 120 crore rupees will be used to restore local water bodies. To increase green spaces, 60 crore rupees will go towards creating 30 new parks. Each zone will also receive a new sports playground with an investment of 45 crore rupees. As part of the ‘Singara Chennai 2.0’ initiative, the city's infrastructure is being improved. So far, the corporation has completed 1,048 projects worth 966 crore rupees. There are also 103 ongoing projects valued at 397 crore rupees. Environmental efforts include bio-mining of waste at Perungudi and Kodungaiyur, costing 991 crore rupees to recover 568 acres of land. Bridge infrastructure has also been enhanced, with 13 bridges completed at a cost of 906 crore rupees and 12 still under construction. To address traffic congestion, an Integrated Traffic Management System is being developed with the help of JICA, costing 530 crore rupees. New commercial complexes will be built through public-private partnerships. Furthermore, the corporation plans to construct butcher shops in Villivakkam, Kallikuppam, and Saidapet for 60 crore rupees. Model roads costing 254 crore rupees are also in development. Finally, the city’s beaches and sanitation facilities are being upgraded, including a 6-crore rupee beautification project at Neelakodi beach.