MADURAI: Unregulated parking of vehicles chokes traffic in city’s commercial hubs including Masi and Aavani streets, particularly during peak Tariff trouble: TN seafood exporters look for EU lifelinehours, leaving commuters frustrated.
The city corporation announced several measures, including regulated paid parking and multi-level car parking (MLCP) facilities, to address the issue but residents say progress on the projects has been sluggish.
They say opening the multi level car parking facility at the Periyar complex, which has been delayed for a long time, could bring immediate relief while the civic body works on the other projects .
P Dinesh Kumar, a commuter, said, “From the onion market to Vilakkuthu and Masi streets, irregular parking is rampant. Even though the roads are wide, vehicles occupy almost half of the lanes, forcing traffic to squeeze through the remaining space. During festivals , when the footfall multiplies, moving around in these areas is almost impossible.”
T Nageshwaran, an activist, said, “The corporation had announced paid parking on Masi and Aavani streets in 2023, but it has yet to be implemented. Out of the three MLCPs proposed, only the one near Meenakshi temple is functioning. The Periyar facility remains unopened, waiting for clearances, while the Goripalayam project has not even started.”
Mohan, another activist, said, “The Meenakshi temple MLCP, which can accommodate 800 cars, has helped ease pressure in its vicinity, but the Periyar facility is essential to make a city-wide impact. Though it has been completed, it remains closed due to lack of clearances. Unless bottlenecks are cleared, residents of the city will struggle with traffic chaos.”
With festivals ahead, stakeholders warn that failure to operationalise the Periyar MLCP could see the city’s traffic gridlock worsen further. A senior official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said roads are occupied by vehicles of traders.
“Customers and tourist vehicles park behind them, creating multiple rows of parked vehicles. By evening, nearly three rows occupy the road, particularly in Masi and Aavani streets. Once the Periyar MLCP is opened, shops will be permitted to park only one vehicle near their premises. The rest will be diverted to MLCPs at Periyar and Meenakshi temple.”