Latest news with #JSridhar

Time of India

Miyawaki forest trail along B Canal locked & littered

Chennai: A two-km urban Miyawaki forest trail along the South Buckingham Canal once envisioned as a green public space for walking and play, now lies locked, neglected, and misused. Built under the Singara Chennai 2.0 initiative in 2021, the stretch between Kasturba Nagar and Thiruvanmiyur MRTS has turned into a hangout spot for loiterers, say residents, while its walkways are strewn with dry leaves, plastic waste, and broken signboards. The trail was made for residents to keep themselves healthy, and also to create a public gathering space for kids to play. The trail, created by Rotaract Club, Communi-Tree, an urban greenery conservation NGO, and the Greater Chennai Corporation, had signboards of different kinds of trees and shrubs. J Sridhar from Rotaract Club, who initiated the project, said 7,000 saplings were planted in the park that was built at a cost of 12 lakh. The park was handed over to GCC after three years of maintaining it, he said. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai CommuniTree founder Hafiz Khan said the trail was in good shape for the most part and the NGO's project manager, Jonathan Isaac, said the trail will be cleaned and opened soon. Residents and passersby complain of the stench. Many were not even aware of the trail. Sneha R of Adyar, who used to go with her 10-year-old son, said, "The trees are not pruned. I wouldn't recommend anyone to use it." GCC regional deputy commissioner (South) Aftab Rasool said he would look into it.