Tue Mar 11 17:13:46 UTC 2025: ## Chennai to Upgrade 120 Footpaths Amidst Concerns Over Encroachments and Safety

**Chennai, March 11, 2025** – The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) announced plans to improve footpaths at 120 locations across the city, following concerns raised by residents about encroachment and safety hazards. The project, which will see tenders floated shortly, is part of a broader effort to address pedestrian safety, highlighted by a CUMTA study revealing pedestrians as the second highest group of fatality victims within GCC limits, after two-wheeler riders.

The GCC has already undertaken significant footpath renovation in recent years, completing projects covering 224.69 km at a cost of ₹46.08 crore since 2021. However, concerns remain about the usability of existing pavements. A city-wide drive to remove encroachments, beginning Tuesday with the clearance of 168 encroachments near 66 schools, aims to tackle this issue.

Residents and experts cite several issues impacting footpath usability, including:

* **Encroachments:** Vendors, parked vehicles, and even abandoned food carts obstruct pavements, particularly in areas like Velachery, T. Nagar, and Mylapore. While designated vending zones exist, many vendors reportedly ignore them.
* **Unsafe Conditions:** Uneven surfaces, inadequate width (only 45.5% of existing footpaths meet the 1.5-meter width standard), exposed cables, and broken manhole covers pose significant risks to pedestrians, especially the elderly and disabled.
* **Lack of Accessibility:** Many areas lack footpaths entirely, particularly in interior lanes, while the Chennai Metro Rail construction has further reduced walkway space in several locations.

The GCC’s plans include not only footpath renovation but also the creation of 15 new health walkways at an estimated cost of ₹24 crore. Experts urge the corporation to prioritize a minimum five-foot width for new pavements, the inclusion of tactile paver blocks for the visually impaired, better coordination between various city agencies to prevent repeated digging, and increased enforcement against encroachments. They also stress the importance of addressing issues like open defecation and the planting of trees to mitigate heat stress. The upcoming financial year will see the relaying of 191.38 km of roads, with accompanying footpath renovations.

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