The Vellore Corporation will be installing shade pavilions on key stretches, including near the 16th-century fort complex and Green Circle, a roundabout below Chennai - Bengaluru National Highway (NH 48), in the coming days as a respite for heat for people.
Arid towns like Vellore, Gudiyatham, Pernambut, Sholinghur, Ambur, and Walajah have been experiencing daily temperatures of around 40 degrees Celsius since April. Most of these towns are along the Palar River, that is completely dry. “There is no respite from the searing heat in Vellore town. The new shades will help motorists, especially those waiting at traffic signals,” said B. Sekar, a motorist.
As per plan, the Corporation has identified at least five spots within Corporation limits to install shade pavilions, mostly at intersections. The identified spots are Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) junction on Anna Salai near the fort complex, Makkan junction near CMC, Green Circle, National theatre junction, and Chittoor bus stand junction in Katpadi.
The entire work will be done at a cost of ₹20 lakhs. “Under the CSR initiative, structural frames of shade pavilions will be given to the civic body permanently as it helps the Corporation install the facility whenever required, within its limits. Once the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) ends, additional initiatives like setting up water points at crowded places will be done by the civic body to beat the heat,” R. Lakshmana, Commissioner, Vellore Corporation, told The Hindu.
