The Chennai Corporation is expected to throw open to the public the lift to the foot over bridge (FOB) on Nungambakkam High Road in a
fortnight, according to commissioner Rajesh Lakhoni.
The FOB, costing an estimated Rs 65 lakh, will help pedestrians cross the busy road without problem. It came up in 2001 from the MPLAD funds of the late Murasoli Maran but saw poor patronage. Reason: The steps were very steep and beggars and alcoholics had made it their home.
Said Lakhoni: "Our aim is to help elderly citizens take the lift and move onto the other side easily." The civil works that began a few months ago are nearing completion and lift cars will be installed on either side of the FOB soon.
The lift's concrete chamber, costing Rs 17 lakh, is approximately 6.2 m high. A maximum of 12 persons can travel at a time in each of the lift cars. Corporation staff, according to the plan, will operate the cars for one month before leaving it to the public to operate on their own. "In case of power failure or other defects, people need not panic. The automated system has been built in such a way that it will reach the nearest exit mode at once," said Lakhoni.
The continuous flow of traffic on Nungambakkam High Road, home to numerous establishments, compelled the local body to provide a lift to the FOB there. Based on the success rate, the corporation plans to provide a lift to its proposed project on Taluk Office Road in Saidapet. "It is dangerous to drive a car on this stretch, it is a good idea that the corporation has thought about pedestrian safety finally," said businessman G Kalyan Kumar.
A few months ago, the traffic police sent a wish-list to the corporation seeking FOBs in such places as Saidapet, Teynampet, DMS, Chamiers Road, Chindadripet, Wallajah Road and Spencers on Anna Salai, near the Chennai Central railway station and at the Nelson Manickam Road-Poonamallee High Road junction.
-source from TIMES OF INDIA
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