Pondicherry: New parking rules cause disarray

Puducherry: Puducherry traffic police’s new ‘one side parking’ enforced in busiest areas of the town to regulate unauthorised parking and ease traffic flow resulted in major chaos.

Motorists complain that finding a space for parking vehicles has now become a hassle. They sought the civic body’s immediate attention to the growing concern of shrinking parking space in town.

The ‘one side parking’ rule introduced by the traffic police last week on city’s important areas including Mission Street, Nehru Street and Mahatma Gandhi Road, which are also popular shopping destinations, created confusion and inconvenience for people.

The east side of Mission Street and Mahatma Gandhi Road, the north side of Bussy Street were changed to no-parking zone. One-side parking was also introduced on the south side from Chinna Subburaya Pillai Street till Ambour Salai junction.

Motorists complain that regulations were introduced without giving prior notice to the public and finding a space for parking vehicles has become difficult as alternative parking spaces are not available.

“We are not against traffic regulations. But when all of a sudden one side parking is introduced there should be alternative parking spaces. We have to wait for hours to find a parking space in the city, especially during the peak hours,” said Vignesh, a marketing executive.

But traffic police inspector C. Maran denied the allegation that prior notice was not given before the regulations were introduced. “The new traffic regulations were introduced to shopkeepers and businessmen in a meeting conducted a month ago and notices were issued on the same,” he said.

The regulations are being implemented in a phased manner and the inconvenience of motorists and public would be addressed urgently. On Mission Street, the available parking space is being used by motor cycle rental shops, motorists say.

“The space available on Mission Street is mostly used by bike rental shops. Sometimes, the pavements are used for parking,” said Archana, a resident of Mission street.

Residents have urged converting the Grand Canal and old jail premises into a parking lot to tackle the issue. “We have already approached Public Works Department (PWD) to demolish the old jail complex, one of the prime localities in the town, following suggestions to convert the unused place into a two-wheeler parking area. This will create space on Nehru Street, Kosakadai Street and Grand Bazaar area. This should be done as early as possible,” said Mr Maran.
The new rules will create inconvenience to the public for a short term. “We are trying our best to ease traffic flow,” he said.