Parking woes disrupt traffic on busy stretches in Thoothukudi

The haphazard parking of two wheelers on several stretches of Thoothukudi city has prompted calls for stricter enforcement of parking regulations and highlighted the need for motorists to follow proper parking practices.

Some of the major stretches in Thoothukudi, include the nearby areas of VVD Junction on Palayamkottai Road, WGC Road, Jeyaraj Road, the vicinity of Thoothukudi Corporation office and V. E. Road frequently witness rampant parking of two-wheelers. Vehicles parked along these roads often encroach on the carriageway, affecting the smooth movement of traffic, particularly during the peak hours.

The problem is particularly noticeable in areas that witness a high volume of commercial activity. Two-wheelers are often parked along the sides of the roads by customers visiting the shops and commercial establishments, as well as by the employees working in these shops.

One of the major reasons attributed to the parking problem is the lack of dedicated parking space for vehicles in several parts of the city. Though a multilevel parking facility is available behind Old Bus Stand, many of the motorists park their vehicle on Jeyaraj Road for shopping and other purposes.

In places like WGC Road and V. E. Road, with a large number of shops and businesses located along these stretches, the demand for parking spaces remains high.

Speaking on this, Thoothukudi Corporation Mayor Jegan Periyasamy said the Corporation has been widening roads wherever possible to address the problem of rampant parking of vehicles in the city. However, he pointed out that many shops in the city do not have dedicated parking facilities, forcing motorists to park their vehicles on roads.

He noted that the Corporation was also exploring the possibility of identifying vacant spaces within the city for developing dedicated parking facilities, particularly in the areas like WGC Road and V. E. Road. He added that this would help employees of commercial establishments as well as the members of public to park their vehicles without obstructing traffic on the main roads.