Chennai: Multi-level parking lots to revive T Nagar pedestrian plaza plan

Chennai: The Chennai corporation is hoping to revive its T. Nagar pedestrian plaza plans by building more multi-level parking lots. Officials told DC that they are considering building a multi-level parking lot on Muthukrishnan Salai, near Panagal Park. “We own around 10 cents of land close to the Metro Water Area Office here and we have involved consultants to study the feasibility,” said an official.

After it ran into stiff opposition from traders, the T Nagar pedestrian plaza project was put on the back burner. “The traders opposed it because they thought if vehicles are not permitted, then they would lose out on business,” said an official. “So if there is any chance of it working out, we have to find spots for people to park their vehicles in and then walk into the plaza,” the official added.

The already proposed parking lot at Panagal Park has run into opposition from environmentalists, officials added. “That is why we decided to explore the option of constructing underground storeys. It looks like we may have to explore that option in any of our future parking lot projects,” an official said.

Commenting on the feasibility of underground levels, one which was already proposed on NSK Salai has been put on hold due to Metro Rail construction, officials added they had to determine the future course of metro rail construction before committing to such projects.

“There are talks that Metro Rail could be extended under Panagal Park. So, even if we build a parking lot, it could be rendered useless in the future,” the official said.