Chennai suburbs inimey chancey illa: Metro, wide roads coming soon
Finally Chennai suburbs are getting a makeover as authorities realise the need for wide roads, good connectivity
On November 11, CMDA issued a notification to widen 422 road segments, calling for objections to be filed within 21 days
On some stretches the roads could be as wide as 60 metres, while even the smallest road could be as wide as 7.2 metres
Suburbs are now marked by narrow choked roads with a tangle of traffic, haphazardly built houses, tonnes of dust, decrepit structures and debris
But now gated communities have started coming up in the localities, and they promise a host of amenities for a comfortable urban life
Realtors offer good roads, drainage systems, piped water, street lighting, parks, etc within the gated communities
This has prompted the CMDA and local bodies to consider providing urban facilities in these localities, as the population of the city spills over
Areas such as Anakaputhur, Kundrathur, Poonamallee, Kattupakkam, Mangadu, Minjur, Puzhal, Sholavaram or the interiors of Tambaram will likely see an overhaul
Metro stations are soon coming up at Porur, Sri Ramachandra Medical College, Iyyappanthangal, Kattupakkam, Kumananchavadi and beyond to Poonamallee
Poonamallee, Thirumazhisai, Avadi, GST Road to Vandalur and Kilambakkam also await the Metro — with connections to existing urban rail networks
This improved connectivity is making the formerly downmarket suburbs — until now serviced only by rickety, crowded MTC buses — attractive to home buyers
Now, CUMTA (Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority) must also step up and improve MTC services, making them modern, accessible and dependable
The local bodies too really need to step up their game, because a Metro and good roads alone won’t make a locality livable
They must provide pavements and open spaces to walk, clean air and water, relief from rain flooding and so on
Communities also need a feeling of security, support of a friendly, efficient police, and local bodies that are capable and free of corruption