The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has launched a comprehensive neighbourhood parking project aimed at tackling the persistent traffic congestion and roadside chaos in Anna Nagar. This significant initiative will create 2,100 marked parking bays across a network of primary and secondary roads, promising a structured solution for residents and visitors alike.
Detailed Plan for Primary and Secondary Roads
The project involves a detailed allocation of parking spaces. The bulk of the infrastructure, comprising 1,699 parking bays, will be developed along primary roads from First Avenue to Sixth Avenue, covering a stretch of 12.85 km. These key avenues, which experience high traffic from commuters and shoppers, are set to benefit from organized parking to prevent obstructions.
Furthermore, to ensure local accessibility, secondary roads from First Main Road to 17th Main Road will receive 401 designated bays. This inclusion of sub-arterial roads aims to address the parking needs on smaller streets frequently used by residents, offering a balanced approach to neighbourhood mobility.
Strict Enforcement with Tech and Towing Powers
Ensuring compliance is a cornerstone of the plan. The contractor will have full towing authority under a five-year maintenance schedule. To enforce rules effectively, the GCC will deploy two towing vehicles and 700 wheel clamps. A fleet of 15 e-bikes and 120 bicycles will be used by approximately 230 marshals patrolling at 500-meter intervals for rapid response.
Technology plays a pivotal role in monitoring. The corporation mandates the installation of 1,300 surveillance cameras across the area, while marshals will be equipped with 110 body cameras to record interactions and ensure transparency. A centralized system will allow traffic authorities to monitor operations and approve towing requests via a dedicated app, streamlining enforcement.
Paid Parking and Resident Expectations
The new system will operate as a paid parking service for 14 hours daily, starting at 6 am. This measure is designed to generate revenue for upkeep, discourage illegal parking, and incentivize the use of designated bays, ultimately aiding smoother traffic flow during peak hours.
Local residents, like V Sandhya, emphasize that the project's success hinges on strict implementation. They stress the importance of avoiding leniency towards businesses or residents who might try to bypass the rules, and preventing road encroachments to ensure the system fulfills its goal of easing congestion.
The project is not an arbitrary decision but is backed by data. It is based on a study by the Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (Cumta), which identified the peak parking demand in Anna Nagar at 3,018 vehicles. Roads were selected based on feasibility, minimal encroachments, and ease of implementation to meet actual local demand without causing further disruption.
