The Hindu : Kerala / Kochi News : Pay-and-park facilities yet to take off in city

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Oct 06, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Kerala

Kerala - Kochi

Pay-and-park facilities yet to take off in city

Staff Reporter

KOCHI: The City Traffic Police are happy that the festival season passed off without many complaints. Elaborate planning that the force made seemed to have paid dividends.

But some issues like streamlining parking within the city remain to be sorted out.

There has not been any follow-up for the drive taken out by the police and corporation to identify spots for setting up ‘pay-and-park’ facilities. “Setting up enough parking facilities is a must, with developments like the Volvo Race nearing.

The committee has identified spaces, which are all under the control of Greater Cochin Development Authority,” said C.K. Manisankar, Deputy Mayor.

The spaces identified were at Kaloor Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium, Manappattiparambu, Marine Drive, Ambedkar Stadium and Gandhi Nagar.

No-parking zones

The police, however, seem to be in dark about this. “We have been told that spaces have been identified, but no communication has been received since then,” said K.B. Venugopal, Assistant Commissioner of Police, City Traffic (West). Once the space is identified, the police are planning to step up enforcement of ‘no parking zones’ strictly.

Despite the recent drive against violators and extensive use of tow-away vans, the mindset of public has not changed much.

“There are a couple of parking spaces towards south of Pallimukku. On any day, these parking lots will remain vacant and vehicles will be seen parked on either side of the road. Only strict enforcement can be of any use here,” said Mr. Venugopal.

The police effort to divert traffic of heavy vehicles partly has taken the pressure of main roads.

Poor roads

But the poor condition of many roads are now putting the condition back to original status. Even though buses coming from the eastern side were diverted along Kaloor-Kadavanthra Road, the pathetic condition of the road is sure to make the bus owners start complaining about the arrangement soon.

This being the situation, the police have decided to wait a bit before taking decisions like opening up Chittoor Road for two-way traffic. “Two wheelers will be allowed initially, rest will be allowed only after observing the situation. Anyway two-way traffic will be allowed northwards from the Girls High School Junction,” said Mr. Venugopal.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Kerala