Chennai's Khader Nawaz Khan Road Transformed into Strict Pedestrian Plaza
Residents and visitors in Chennai can now enjoy a truly pedestrian-friendly experience on Khader Nawaz Khan Road, as authorities have implemented a rigorous zero-tolerance policy against vehicle parking. Following the success of the Pondy Bazaar plaza in T Nagar, this is the city's second dedicated pedestrian zone, designed to prioritize foot traffic over vehicles.
Aggressive Enforcement Measures in Place
In a significant crackdown over the past two weeks alone, at least 100 vehicles have been towed from the cobblestone walking corridor, with more than 400 challans issued to violators. The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) and traffic police have deployed substantial resources to ensure compliance, with eight traffic personnel stationed daily from 3:30 PM to 2 AM, supplemented by 16 GCC marshals.
P Vijayakumar, Joint Commissioner of Police for Traffic (South), emphasized the clear mandate: "No vehicles are allowed on the pedestrian plaza. If there is a driver in a waiting car, we give him five minutes to move. If there's no driver, the vehicle is immediately fined and moved after a few minutes." He noted that signage clearly marks the area as a 'pedestrian-only' zone where only drop-offs are permitted, urging public awareness to avoid bringing cars to the area.
Traffic Flow and Access Restrictions
KNK Road, a popular destination for families, window shoppers, and café enthusiasts, has been converted into a one-way stretch with entry restricted to Greams Road. Police patrols actively turn away commuters attempting to enter via Uthamar Gandhi Salai or adjoining roads and make right turns onto KNK Road. Only vehicles belonging to local businesses and residents are permitted, and even they must park within their compounds rather than on pavements.
To enhance enforcement efficiency, authorities have floated tenders to install additional Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras. This technology will enable automated fining in the future, reducing reliance on manual police monitoring.
New Parking Solutions and Resident Concerns
Under a temporary parking plan, on-street parking is being allowed on Wallace Garden Road, Rutland Gate Road, and other interior streets, with efforts to minimize disruption to local residents. GCC Assistant Executive Engineer Vidhya from the Teynampet zone revealed that unused park land in Rutland Gate 2nd Street is being converted into a multi-level parking (MLP) facility capable of accommodating 50 cars. Another site near the metro work area close to Uthamar Gandhi Salai will house an additional 50 cars.
"The first MLP will come up soon, while the second will be taken up after CMRL vacates the stretch," she stated, noting that tenders were floated on Thursday for construction with access-control barriers.
Resident Reactions and Challenges
Despite these measures, the spillover of vehicles onto interior roads has sparked concerns among residents. Members of the KNK Road–Wallace Garden Road Residents Welfare Association recently met with the city police commissioner to seek relief from the resulting chaos.
Shobha Mothinath, a local resident, expressed frustration: "We are not even able to walk in the evenings as the lanes are clogged by vehicles coming from outside. Earlier, only shoppers and diners came here. Now it is mostly influencers. The pedestrian plaza and interior roads aren't able to handle the influx."
Another resident, Sudha Errabolu, raised doubts about the effectiveness of MLPs, citing previous failures in T Nagar. "It is unclear how enforcement will work here. Converting a park into a parking facility is not welcome either," she remarked, highlighting ongoing tensions between urban development and community needs.
The transformation of KNK Road into a pedestrian plaza represents a bold step in Chennai's urban planning, aiming to create safer, more enjoyable public spaces while grappling with the practical challenges of parking and traffic management in a bustling metropolitan area.
