Cities across India are remaking their streets

In 2020, the Delhi government said it will give the Capital’s roads a “European makeover”, announcing plans to redevelop a 540-km network of roads of a width of 100 feet or more. Not just Delhi, many cities across the country such as Chennai, Pune, Hyderabad, and Surat, among others, are transforming their roads into what urban designers call “complete streets”, “healthy streets”, or “liveable streets” — streets that are attractive, are accessible, and prioritise the safety and mobility of all users, while also serving as vibrant public spaces. “We want to redefine the idea of the street by making it an experiential space accessible to all stakeholders such as motorists, cyclists, pedestrians, and vendors,” said GS Sameeran, joint commissioner, Greater Chennai Corporation. The footfalls have increased, mobility has improved and there has been a socio-economic boost to the areas where we have completed these projects,” said Surat Municipal Corporation commissioner Shalini Agarwal, adding that the civic body has recently initiated the redevelopment of four more streets with a length of 9.65km “Street development projects are our topmost priority and we have dedicated budgetary allocations for them each year,” she said. Work on the 1.6-km road from Elite Chaurha to Medical College — arguably the city’s most important road — is on at a fast pace, and the stretch, which was once synonymous with encroachments today boasts a broad footpath, a kids’ play area, a jogging track, a vending area, parking lots, fountains, street furniture, canopies, signage, and a selfie point, among others.