Fancy an extended stroll? Hop, skip, and step in direction of Chennais newly designated 8km Health Walk stretch

There is a gentle drizzle at 6.30am and once I lookup, the skies are ominous. I’m standing on the nook of Besant Avenue highway, subsequent to Dr Muthulakshmi Reddy Park. There is a brand new addition to that nook — a towering arch in inexperienced and orange. A well-lit signal declares — ‘Healthwalk Start’ and on both aspect are silhouettes of two runners.

One of Chennai’s most idyllic stretches that delights pedestrians and motorists alike with a cover of timber — Besant Avenue Road — is now a part of a chosen stretch for an eight kilometre Health Walk, an initiative by the Tamil Nadu Health Department. Inspired by strolling tracks he noticed on a visit to Tokyo, Health Minister Ma. Subramanian, himself a daily marathon runner, had introduced the creation of those designated areas throughout all districts. An inventory on the Directorate of Public Health web site of those strolling corridors throughout the State merely mentions the place to begin of the stroll. I resolve to go the place the quiet and calm path takes me.

While I hesitate to stroll in by the arch given the climate, two runners jog previous me and that’s all of the motivation it takes. A number of metres in, Girija Venkatesan, a resident of the realm, is briskly strolling together with her buddy carrying umbrellas. She pauses her smartwatch to speak. “I cowl this stretch on a regular basis from the nook of Besant Avenue Road until Arundale seashore highway and again, and have been strolling right here for years now.” The statues, a brand new addition to the stretch are beautiful, she says.

“A correct paved space all by this stretch could be very useful, particularly for senior residents.” 

Even as a long-time resident, there are pockets within the metropolis that one will get to find, and see in a brand new gentle. S Ravichandran, a resident of the realm who has been strolling right here for many years says he hopes extra folks come right here to take a stroll. “This stretch is peaceable, neat and clear,” he says, earlier than hurrying off.

On a wet morning, many walkers navigate by puddles for the reason that stretch doesn’t have a uniform pavement. Down Besant Avenue, because the highway curves forward in direction of Theosophical Society, the pavements turn out to be broader in elements, punctuated by shiny pink bougainvillea. Benches are positioned at common intervals, and given how a lot brighter the greens are that morning along with the rain-washed roads, there can’t be a extra excellent place to sit down and decompress.

The sculptures loom into view. While one is of a person seated on a bench with the opposite aspect vacant, there may be yet another of a girl strolling her canine. This appears befitting, provided that I encounter a pleasant four-legged resident of Besant Avenue not too far-off.

Further down, there may be one other sculpture of a boy mid-run, and a pair on a scooter cease to take an image: an attention-grabbing addition for the Reels-makers and photographers who’ve for some time now haunted these roads.

Resuming their morning walks after a break, Uma, Akhila Venkat, and Maheswari Mohan, buddies and long-time residents of the realm inform me that this is without doubt one of the greatest areas within the metropolis to stroll in. “Given how stunning this stretch is, we hope that there’s some pace restrict imposed on the autos right here as properly,” says Maheswari.

There are useful signages and distance markings all through. An indication declares ‘Walk your solution to a shiny day’, and one other one aggressively states ‘Burn energy, not money’. I stroll into Besant Nagar Fifth Avenue Road and see the horizon within the sea. There is the same old stream of walkers and joggers alongside the seashore, and the newly put in benches down the walkway there are already being put to good use. Many are occupied by folks, and one other statue makes an look.

On the highway by the seashore, the space markings point out that its been two-and-a-half kilometres from the arch, although it undoubtedly appears like much more given my leisurely tempo — taking within the sights and sounds. After taking a proper at Annai Velankani Road, I hit the three-kilometre mark quickly.

If the timber and extensive platforms of Besant Avenue marked the beginning of the stroll, the true morning hustle is right here. Business is on in full swing on the many small tea retailers dotting this stretch, Vishranthi restaurant has all its tables full with early risers having fun with espresso and breakfast, and the nurseries alongside the roads are being arrange on the pavements. As I method the Olcott Memorial School, a four-kilometre distance marker comes into view. It is right here that when you want to full a full eight kilometre stretch, you’re anticipated to take a U-turn and retrace your steps in direction of the seashore, and are available again to Third Avenue, the place you may proceed strolling down Besant Avenue Road once more in direction of the arch. 

As I retrace my steps to the arch, I go a person, deep in slumber on a bench, his head resting on the lap of the sculpture there. There is one thing for everybody right here — be it a leisurely eight kilometre stroll, a jog, or perhaps a energy nap that’s assured to be rejuvenating given the sylvian environment