Hawkers may get space on skywalk

CHENNAI: Hawkers occupying the pavements of Thyagaraya Nagar may carry out their business on the proposed skywalk connecting the railway station with the bus terminus at the business nerve centre of Chennai.Addressing the gathering at the third public consultation on urban redevelopment for Thyagaraya Nagar here on Thursday, Mayor Saidai S Duraisamy said, “We are contemplating widening the skywalk to accommodate hawkers. This will allow people to shop from the hawkers above the ground, increasing the space for pedestrian movement on the road.” He urged the public to give their feedback on this suggestion.The skywalk linking Thyagaraya Nagar bus terminus and Mambalam railway station is one of the proposals made by the consultant identified by the Corporation to redevelop the congested commercial hub. The consultant had suggested that the hawkers could be shifted beneath the flyover, evoking sharp criticism from the residents of T Nagar.Reacting to the suggestion Basheer, a resident, claimed that hawkers would continue to encroach upon the pavement despite being relocated. Even if the hawkers are shifted to the dedicated complex they will rent out that space, only to return to square one, he alleged.Many complained that the hawkers were becoming a menace for residents and pedestrians, reducing the space available to stroll around the locality. To a specific question on moving the hawkers to the community hawkers’ complex at Pondy Bazaar, Chennai Corporation Commissioner D Karthikeyan said the matter was sub judice, being presently dealt with by the Supreme Court. “We are expecting the verdict when the court reopens after vacation,” he said. It may be recalled that the hawkers’ complex remains unoccupied even though it is ready for occupation, due to litigation. A total number of 640 shops are available in the complex, constructed by the Corporation for hawkers.