Trichy Councillors Advocate for Multi-Level Parking to Alleviate Thillai Nagar Gridlock
In response to mounting frustration over persistent parking challenges plaguing residents and visitors on all commercial streets in Thillai Nagar and its surrounding areas, councillors from the Trichy corporation have put forward a significant proposal. They have urged the local municipal body to consider the development of a multi-level car parking (MLCP) facility on the expansive grounds of Thillai Nagar's Makkal Mandram.
Underutilized Ground Presents Parking Solution Opportunity
Managed by the Tiruchirappalli Cooperative House Construction Society, the Makkal Mandram ground, which includes a community hall, is primarily used for hosting private exhibitions and government events. Councillors have highlighted that the vast vacant space within this complex remains largely untapped. They strongly believe that constructing an MLCP here would provide a much-needed remedy to the chronic parking woes that have long afflicted this bustling part of the city.
Commercial Hub Grapples with Inadequate Parking Infrastructure
Thillai Nagar, recognized as a premier commercial and medical hub within Trichy, features approximately 25 cross streets on both sides of its main thoroughfare. Many commercial complexes in this upscale locality either lack dedicated car parking spaces entirely or offer only limited capacity. Consequently, visitors frequently resort to parking their vehicles along these cross streets. While city police have enforced parking restrictions on the main road of Thillai Nagar, the cross streets suffer from inadequate regulation. This often leads to severe traffic bottlenecks and significant inconvenience for residents living in apartments along these streets.
Zone V Councillors Appeal to Mayor for Action
Councillors representing Zone V, which holds jurisdiction over the commercial hubs of Thillai Nagar and Sastri Road, have formally appealed to Mayor Mu Anbalagan to prioritize the development of an MLCP at the Makkal Mandram complex. Originally inaugurated in September 1967 and subsequently renovated in December 2016, this property spans over 2,000 square metres. The councillors argue that converting this space into a paid parking facility would greatly benefit the congested cross streets of Thillai Nagar.
"The Makkal Mandram complex should be seriously considered as a viable solution for our parking problems. Every single day, the situation deteriorates further as cars are parked haphazardly on the roads," emphasized Vijayalakshmi Kannan, Chairperson of Zone V.
Past Parking Initiatives and Future Proposals
In the 2020-21 financial year, paid on-street parking was introduced in Thillai Nagar, allowing individuals to park bikes and cars for rates ranging from Rs 5 to Rs 20 per hour. However, this initiative was abruptly discontinued. Councillors have suggested that reviving this system could help mitigate traffic bottlenecks to some extent.
"Perhaps, the corporation can explore a joint venture with the society to redevelop the Makkal Mandram space into a hall integrated with an MLCP. Alternatively, paid on-street parking could be reintroduced on the cross streets," proposed K Suresh, Councillor of Ward 23.
Mayor Considers Options to Decongest Key Area
Mayor Mu Anbalagan has acknowledged the pressing issue, stating that the city police will be consulted regarding the regulation of on-street parking on Thillai Nagar's streets. "An MLCP will undoubtedly be an excellent choice. We must thoroughly explore all available options to decongest this vital commercial hub," the mayor informed The Times of India.
The proposal underscores a growing consensus among local representatives that innovative urban infrastructure solutions are urgently required to address the escalating parking and traffic challenges in one of Trichy's most dynamic neighborhoods.
