World Bank may fund mega street programme in Chennai

CHENNAI: The World Bank has evinced willingness to fund the city’s ambitious ‘mega streets’ programme after a meeting between the bank and the Greater Chennai corporation was held last week.
The project that involves redesigning of 100km of roads in Kodambakkam, Teynampet and Adyar zone covering approximately 70sqkm area will ensure that the road caters to every user and not just the motorised traffic.
“A meeting was held with the transport consultants of the World Bank and they are interested in funding the project. Other agencies will also be roped in for the project. A project proposal report will be submitted to the government after which it will be sent to the Central government for approval. The Central government will take it forward,” said corporation commissioner G Prakash.
The process, however, may take a year and so, the civic body plans to develop five city roads using state government funding as part of pilot projects. “We have held several meetings with consultants who wanted to break the 100km project into smaller packages of 20-30km. A detailed project report for every stretch will be prepared by the consultant. They will study all aspects of the road and ensure better connectivity and features for all types of users including senior citizens, children, women, disabled people, cyclists and pedestrians. These will be scaled up after the final funding comes,” said an official.
The Institute of Transport and Development Policy has been working along with the corporation and held meetings with consultants and representatives of the state government as well. Ashwathy Dilip of ITDP said the project was moving at a good pace. “We will develop the pilot projects and some stretches including Khader Nawaz Khan Road, Anna Nagar Second Avenue Road up to the Tirumangalam signal and Velacherry 100 Feet Road. The project reports for these stretches will be ready by the end of this year,” she said.
For every kilometre of the mega street project at least Rs 10-Rs 20 crore will be spent as it will have ducting facilities for all utilities and features that are inclusive. The consultants will be asked to study the roads, interact with every stakeholder, conduct surveys and collect data using focus groups on transportation studies, land use pattern and road usage. They will have to prepare detailed design and drawings that will cater to local needs. These roads will not be dug up for at least 30 years once the project is completed, said another official, adding they plan to expand this project to the entire city once the 100km is completed.