Vacant space below Trichy RoBs cries for attention

Trichy: Even as a lack of space is a major challenge for Trichy corporation to implement new infrastructure proposals, the vacant space below road over bridges (RoBs) remain largely ignored and underutilized.
As projects such as walking tracks set up below the elevated roads are failing, residents, particularly youngsters have sought the local body to introduce activity-based public space such as artificial play turfs and badminton courts beneath the bridges to improve the city's liveability.
Trichy has six major RoBs that have a combined 3.3-km long space below the elevated structures. While space below Palakkarai RoB, Thennur RoB, and Srirangam RoB were used for setting up walking tracks, public toilets, and an open-air gym, the model projects remain underutilised.
Meanwhile, since the demand for artificial turfs to play cricket, football, pickleball, and indoor badminton courts are gaining ground among youngsters and families, residents opined that Trichy corporation like Chennai corporation should explore developing the vacant space to benefit the public.
"People are starting to litter in space below Thiruvanaikoil RoB. While residents from congested neighbourhoods lack proper open space, such spacious areas below flyovers can be developed into play zones to help families spend quality time," said Satheeshkumar Rajendran, a resident of Srirangam.
Pointing to Chennai's Kathipara elevated road's urban square, residents said that the local body could monetise the space below the bridges by converting into play turfs as private players charge up to Rs 1,250 per hour for such facilities.
In some areas, shops are gradually encroaching space below flyovers to store inventories while some others use it to park vehicles. "Residents are unable to take U-turns below the Trichy junction RoB's bus stand arm as cars and autorickshaws are parked under it," said H Ghouse Baig, a consumer rights activist.
"The corporation is planning to create a resting space for gig workers below one of the bridges, preferably below the Trichy junction RoB. Other proposals to utilise the vacant space will be studied and considered for implementation," commissioner V Saravanan told TOI.