Tamil Nadu government sets up 8 km walking corridors in all 38 districts to boost public health

The minister, a fitness freak and a marathoner, has a habit of jogging every morning. During his stay in Tokyo, the minister went for an early morning jog and found that several dedicated corridors had been set up for joggers and walkers by the government.

Soon after his return, Subramanian pitched the idea of setting up walking roads in Tamil Nadu, too, to Chief Minister Stalin.

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Turning ‘Health Roads’ into reality

The chief minister, who approved the idea, announced the establishment of “Health Roads” in all the districts of Tamil Nadu and also allocated funds to the project.

The minister then roped in the Deputy Directors of Health Service (DDHS) to identify such roads with a stretch of 8 km in their respective districts.

In a few districts like Coimbatore and Madurai, existing walking roads have been identified which are already being used by joggers, while in other districts, walking spaces have been created in addition to the pavement. Further, new roads have been laid and tree saplings have been planted on both sides of the roads.

In Chennai, the Health Road will start from Dr Muthulakshmi Park near the LB Road flyover and will go all the way to Besant Nagar before returning to the starting point.

In Madurai, the stretch between Race Course Road and Athikulam Junction, via World Tamil Sangam, Eco Park, and Kalaingar Library, has been chosen for the project.

In Coimbatore, the whole stretch between Race Course Road near Avinashi Road and KG Hospital is being set up as the walking corridor.

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Facilities on the Health Roads

“The minister himself visited these places and conducted an early morning inspection with the officials and had given necessary instructions to upgrade the walking corridors,” said a deputy commissioner of Coimbatore Corporation.

Signboards with awareness information about walking and health are being installed every one kilometre of the walking roads and seating arrangements have also been made for the walkers to rest.

The Health Department has instructed its officials to conduct a walkathon every first Sunday of the month to popularise the track.

In the selected walking corridors, heavy traffic will be suspended from 5 am to 8 am every day. However, essential and emergency vehicle movements like ambulances will be permitted to pass through the corridor. Further, roadside pathways have also been erected in these corridors.

Additionally, Health Department officials said that medical camps will be conducted on the first Sunday of every month to check blood sugar levels and blood pressure. Hydration will be provided to the walkers at particular points along the 8 km stretch.

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10,000 steps a day is the target

Speaking at a function in Chennai, on Sunday, 22 October, Minister Ma Subramaniam confirmed that Stalin will be inaugurating the walking corridors in Chennai and other districts, simultaneously, through video-conferencing.

He said that the chief minister would walk from Dr Muthulakshmi Park to Elliot’s Beach, in the dedicated walking corridor.

Stating that there is an increase in young people being diagnosed with cardiovascular diseases and cancer, the minister said that the objective of enabling “Health Roads” for public health was so that people can go for regular walks for their health up-keep.

Subramanian also stated that as per the WHO standards, walking 10,000 steps a day will help us keep our bodies healthy and the 10,000 steps can be attained only by walking 8 km per day. “These tracks are for the public to walk and lead a healthy life,” the minister added.