Copyright thehindu
Thothukudi Corporation is to enhance public facilities along Beach Road and Roche park by January 2026. The upcoming development includes an additional 4 km healthwalk pavement, dedicated cycling path, high mast lights, among the other improvements. In 2023, a health walk road was inaugurated in Thoothukudi between Bell hotel and boat jetty beyond Roche park, covering around 4 km. As the initiative was hit among the residents, prompting the corporation to construct a health walk pavement on the other side of the road. Meanwhile, the free bicycles, parked in the Roche park for the use of residents, is also set to have a proper facility, where the corporation has been planning to introduce a dedicated cycling lane along the Beach road. In addition, the facilities include sitting benches, installation of CCTV cameras and other necessary facilities to improve safety and convenience of the residents. Joebai Pachake, a resident of WGC road said that the health walk road has been a great success since its inauguration. “Although I used to walk at the stadium, during monsoon times, many of my walking mates shift their location to beach road, citing its ambience,” he added. Welcoming that the corporation has planned to upgrade the area with additional facilities, he stressed that focus on safety and security measures should also be given for that stretch . “Women prefer walking on that stretch after dawn, due to safety concerns. Other than installation of CCTV cameras, additional measures should be implemented for safety and emergency response along that stretch,” he noted. Speaking on the initiative, Thoothukudi corporation Mayor Jegan Periyasamy said that the new facilities are expected to be completed by January 2026. He added that the city already has cycling lanes in Bryant Nagar and near the Third mile flyover. “Another lane in the Beach road will be beneficial for the residents and timing regulations will also be framed considering the proximity to fishing harbour and other industries,” he added. He further noted that the corporation is also in the process of restoring kayaking activity in the boathouse, near Roche park, with partnership of suitable private entities.
