The newly opened Semmozhi Poonga in Coimbatore has witnessed an overwhelming public response, with more than 52,000 visitors thronging the expansive green space in just its first four days of operation. This massive influx, however, led to significant traffic congestion on the adjoining Dr Nanjappa Road, highlighting immediate challenges in managing the park's popularity.
Record Footfall and Weekend Rush
The park, which was thrown open to the public on December 11, saw its busiest day on Sunday, with approximately 27,450 people visiting. The previous day, Saturday, also recorded a high attendance of 16,027 visitors. The sheer volume of people far exceeded initial expectations, putting immense pressure on the park's infrastructure and management.
The existing parking facility, designed to hold 1,000 two-wheelers and 450 four-wheelers, was completely overwhelmed. This shortage forced a large number of visitors to park their vehicles on the road, which subsequently choked the traffic flow on Dr Nanjappa Road and created a gridlock situation. The park's administration acknowledged struggling to accommodate the unprecedented crowds.
Official Responses and Proposed Solutions
Reacting to the traffic crisis, retired divisional state highways officer G Manu Needhi attributed the chaos to the "inaugural craze" for a major new recreational spot. He expressed confidence that crowds would become more manageable once the initial excitement subsides. Needhi suggested practical interim solutions, including creating an alternative entry and exit system. He also proposed utilizing the idle VOC zoo land for a temporary parking facility, from where visitors could walk to the park via an alternative entry near Jail Road.
Corporation Mayor R Ranganayaki stated that a consultative meeting would be held on Tuesday to address these operational shortcomings. She recognized the extraordinary public eagerness for the new project but expects visitor numbers to normalize soon. For the immediate future, the corporation plans to discuss providing additional parking space, especially to handle weekend crowds. To reduce waiting times, Mayor Ranganayaki also encouraged visitors to use the online ticketing system via QR codes instead of queuing at counters.
Park Inauguration and Features
The 45-acre Semmozhi Poonga was officially inaugurated by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on November 25. The botanical park is a significant addition to Coimbatore's urban landscape, featuring a diverse collection of flora organized under 23 distinct thematic sections. Its launch has clearly captured the imagination of the city's residents, leading to the record-breaking initial turnout.
The current situation presents a classic case of a successful public amenity facing teething problems due to its own popularity. While the long-term appeal of the park is evident, the immediate focus for the Coimbatore Corporation is on implementing effective crowd and traffic management strategies to ensure that the joy of visiting Semmozhi Poonga is not marred by logistical hassles.
