The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) is preparing to install inclusive play equipment for children with disabilities in two North Chennai parks, with a total project cost of ?2.5 crore. Inspired by the accessible play zone at Marina Beach’s Blue Flag area, this initiative aims to create safe and inclusive recreational spaces for all children within local neighbourhoods. According to the 2025–2026 civic budget, GCC will develop special play areas and upgrade existing parks in Madhavaram and Kodungaiyur to attract more families. Around ?1.81 crore has been allocated for the Madhavaram park and ?1.33 crore for the Kodungaiyur park to set up new play structures. Officials said the new facilities will feature tactile boards for visually impaired children and sensory play installations, offering a more advanced setup than the one at Marina Beach. “We plan to make these play areas completely accessible for children with special needs,” said C.A. Balamurali, GCC’s Chief Engineer. The tender process for the project will begin soon. Alongside this, renovation work will be carried out, as many parks in North Chennai are in poor condition. “The Kodungaiyur park hasn’t seen major restoration in over 30 years. We’ll be constructing a new compound wall, building walkways, and raising the ground level to prevent waterlogging,” said A. Rajkumar, Tondiarpet Zonal Officer. Residents in the area have welcomed the move but emphasized the need for awareness among locals to ensure the facilities are used properly “If maintained well, this project can make a real difference for families. The civic body should expand such inclusive parks across the city,” said A. Arumairaj, President of the Indira Gandhi Nagar Residents’ Welfare Association, Tiruvottiyur.

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