Chennai will soon have a world-class Central Square, according to Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. She took the legislative Assembly by surprise on Tuesday by making the announcement about the proposal to build Rs400 crore Central Square at Chennai Central an important landmark in the city known for its traffic snarls and congestion.
The Chennai Central is home to the railway terminals for the long distance and moffusil train services. The southern railway headquarters, Ripon Building which houses the Chennai Corporation offices, Rajiv Gandhi General Hospital, Victoria Hall, the upcoming Chennai Metro Rail terminal, Mass Rapid Transport Services and bus stations to various parts of the city are located in the vicinity of Chennai Central.
Travellers arriving at Chennai Central station now are taken aback by the cacophony of vehicles, railway porters and auto rickshaws. There are no proper guidance system for those visiting the city for the first time. All these will be things of the past with Chennai Central getting refurbished as Central Square.
“I am happy to announce that the area around Ripon Buildings, suburban railway terminal, Chenai Central Railway Station, Victoria Hall, Government General Hospital, the MRTS station and bus station will be developed as a world class Central Square,” said Jayalalithaa.
Works of Chennai Metro connecting Central Station to various other points like airport and other suburban areas are in full swing. An eight km long underground tunnel is being laid for the Metro Rail. The elevation of Central as Central Square, described as the first of its kind in the country will lead to Chennai getting a new look reminiscent of global metropolitan cities. Jayalalithaa said the Rs400 crore project is being entrusted to Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority.
The chief minister also announced the launching of housing schemes for lower and middle income groups. She said 5,000 houses would be built at a cost of Rs1,700 crore for people in the lower and middle income group. The Chief Minister’s Green Energy Homes for people in the BPl category has seen more than 2.5 lakh families in rural and semi-urban Tamil Nadu getting eco-friendly homes powered by solar energy.