CUMTA's ‘Smart Parking Management Plan' for Anna Nagar evokes mixed response in Chennai
Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA) has conducted a study, according to which, over 60% of road space in some parts of Anna Nagar is encroached by way of haphazard parking, thus reducing the space for pedestrian and vehicular movement.
Therefore, CUMTA, along with officials from the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) and Greater Chennai Traffic Police (GCTP), has planned to implement the 'Smart Parking Management Plan' on a pilot-basis in Anna Nagar from September.
Project details
As per the pilot project, around 2,000 parking slots are to be marked, with 70% on major roads such as the 2nd, 3rd, and 6th Avenues, and the rest on internal roads like the 11th to 13th Main Roads. An average of 5,000 vehicles are parked in a day in the area, including over 3,000 during peak hours.
Parking will be prohibited within 20 metres of bus stops and within 100 metres of schools. Designated pick-up and drop-off bays will be created at key locations to ensure safe access for commuters.
Parking charges will be set at ₹60 per hour for trucks, ₹40 for cars and ₹20 for two-wheelers. The parking revenue thus generated is likely to be used for local mobility improvements such as better footpaths and signage, according to CUMTA's plan.
A team of 100 trained marshals will monitor enforcement in two shifts, each covering about 500 metres. Marshals will use body cameras and surveillance tools. Non-payment for over three hours will result in wheel clamping; after six hours, vehicles may be towed under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. Parking will not be allowed within 20 metres of bus stops or 100 metres of schools. Pick-up and drop-off bays will be marked.
The plan will use camera-based management systems, mobile applications for digital payments, a centralised digital dashboard for real-time monitoring and trained parking marshals will be deployed on the ground for enforcement.
'Insights from the Anna Nagar pilot project will inform broader parking reforms across Chennai, supporting the city's vision for safer, more inclusive, and efficient streets,' a CUMTA official said.
Public reaction
At the meeting, residents, vendors, elected representatives and commercial stakeholders of Anna Nagar raised their concerns about enforcement of parking plans, street encroachments, relocation and the design of the upcoming plan.
Sandhya, secretary of the Federation of Annanagar Residents Associations (FOARA), said the parking system outlined by officials looked thorough, but without strict enforcement, it might turn out ineffective. Issues such as encroachment of pavements and roads by parked vehicles, street vendors and stationing of heavy trucks along major avenues are rampant despite restrictions in place. 'If the current violations are not addressed first, how can a new system succeed?' she doubted.
Sukumar, president of FOARA, suggested construction of a multi-level parking at Anna Nagar East bus stand (with a skywalk to Tower Park) near Thirumangalam Metro and at the Civil Supplies warehouse.
Heavy vehicles should not be allowed to park on Anna Nagar 6th Avenue and the space should instead be used for two-wheelers and cars which ply more frequently, he urged He also objected to the designation of 5th Avenue and 15th Main Road as vending zones, stating that Anna Nagar is primarily a residential locality.
To this, a vending committee member raised concerns about jobs. Ms. Sandhya responded that vending does not only entail selling fruits and veggies from carts — but also setting up of permanent stalls on pavements that may hinder pedestrian pathway.
The public also sought better footpaths, removal of encroachments, management of street vending in residential areas and stricter building code enforcement.
Public feedback will be considered, said CUMTA in a statement.
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