Is T Nagar Smart City Plan Flawed?

Recently authorities in Chennai announced that they are starting the work to turn Thyagaraya Nagar also known as T Nagar into a smart city. It must be noted that T Nagar is the oldest retail destination in Chennai, and a mix of commercial, residential and educational setups.

What is about to change for T Nagar under the smart city plan?

Multi-level car parking

A car-parking with a capacity to accommodate 230 cars and 550 motor bikes will come up at T Nagar. This is certainly the most anticipated development in the area as a lack of parking space is a serious challenge.

Redevelopment of eight parks

These eight parks will bring a fresh lease of oxygen in one of the most congested areas of the Chennai metropolitan city. These eight parks will have manicured lawns and would offer a relaxing place to the local residents.

Redesigning of 23 roads

T Nagar has been notorious for traffic jams for almost all part of the day. The hawking zone along the road creates a traffic bottleneck. These roads will be widened to ensure smooth passage for the plying traffic.

Pedestrian-friendly streets

The current situation at T Nagar is grim as pedestrians find it risky to walk on the roads on which the two-way traffic stays stuck and hawkers occupying the sideways. A pedestrian plaza would be constructed to offer a safe walking zone.

Strengthening of electric network

To offer seamless power connectivity to the area, electric networks would be strengthened that would replace faulty systems. There are also plans to provide the area with LED lights, smart street lighting and a Wi-fi are connectivity.

Digitisation

You will be able to log and pay all your utility bills as everything is about to turn digital at T Nagar.

Intelligent traffic management system

To ensure proper traffic management in the system, smart traffic signals would be installed with sensors and speedometers.

The roadblocks

Here are some pain points that may delay the process of T Nagar becoming a smart city:

Opposition from traders

Local traders have been opposing the plan as they claim it to be unrealistic. The smart city plan focusses majorly on residential developments, traders claim.

Inadequate funding

The funding has been the major issue in the past two years. While the Central government is funding only a part of the development, city authorities will have to shoulder the major burden. 

Resettlement of hawkers

The smart city plan has little to offer to hawkers and vendors. The specifics of the smart city plan for T Nagar do not mention resettlement of hawkers, a point causing much resentment in the community.