Trichy corpn initiates study for skywalks under PPP

Trichy: A decade after its attempts to develop skywalks for safe commute of pedestrians failed to take off, Trichy corporation has revived the proposal through public private partnership (PPP) mode at two locations in the city. The civic body has sanctioned Rs 5 lakh inviting suitable agencies to prepare a detailed feasibility report (DFR) for skywalks.According to the survey conducted by the town and country planning department, only 68% of road network in the city have footpaths on both sides, while 12% have none at all. The central business district (CBD) areas comprising Cantonment, Thillai Nagar, Chathiram bus stand, and Singarathope have severe vehicular - pedestrian conflicts. Railway junction to Central bus stand junction stretch alone handles around one lakh vehicles a day, but people commuting between two transit hubs on foot lack facilities for the safe commute.“We have received a directive from the department of municipal administration (DMA) to develop pedestrian-friendly infrastructures. A tender has been floated to identify an agency to prepare a feasibility report. The agency will list out viable locations, and we will scrutinize and choose based on the need,” an official said. PPP model is most likely to be explored for funding the infrastructure, and the study will be completed in a month.In 2015-16, the local body proposed two pedestrian foot overbridges at Rs 1.9 crore in Chathiram bus stand and Melapudur, but they didn’t materialize. This time, officials said that a suitable financial model will be explored to make skywalks a reality as the city’s commercial streets and transit hubs are totally devoid of pedestrian infrastructure.“Panjapur bus terminus of late records mass movement of students crossing the busy Trichy-Madurai highway in a risky manner. Many roads within the city such as railway junction and MGMGH pose serious threats for pedestrians crossing them. A foot overbridge with elevators will serve the best,” Shivasankar Sekaran, member, district road safety council, said.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Trichy | Silver Rate in Trichy | Bank Holidays in Trichy | Public Holidays in TrichyStay updated with the latest Trichy news. Download the TOI App.