Latest news with #SmartParkingManagementPlan
The Hindu
13 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Hindu
CUMTA's ‘Smart Parking Management Plan' for Anna Nagar evokes mixed response in Chennai
During a public consultation session held in Chennai on June 14, 2025 at the Regional Deputy Commissioner's Office (Central) to introduce a pilot project that will help regulate parking across roughly 25 km of Anna Nagar's roads, the residents wondered how the plan would work considering the highly-commercialised nature of the locality. 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.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
100 traffic marshals to curb encroachments and double parking menace in Anna Nagar
Chennai: To bring order to Anna Nagar's chaotic streets, the state govt will deploy traffic marshals from Sept as part of a new Smart Parking Management Plan. The marshals — trained and authorised to fine and clamp vehicles — will patrol key stretches to curb rampant double parking, footpath encroachments, and unregulated roadside vending that have left pedestrians with little room to walk. The initiative is being led by Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (Cumta), in coordination with Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) and Greater Chennai Traffic Police (GCTP). The marshals will be assigned roughly one per 500 metres, covering about 20 vehicles each, ensuring real-time enforcement of parking rules. "To ensure accountability, marshals will wear body cameras, and the entire zone will be monitored round-the-clock through 1,255 surveillance cameras," said I Jeyakumar, member secretary, Cumta. The idea was discussed during a public stakeholder consultation meeting for upcoming Smart Parking Management Plan in Anna Nagar, to be implemented from Sept. The parking plan is for 25km of road network mapped for on-street smart parking. On average, around 5,000 vehicles are parked daily in the area. "We will demarcate 2,000 parking slots – 70% on major roads (such as 2nd, 3rd and 6th Avenues) and rest on internal roads (such as 11th and 13th Main Roads). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo The marshals will alert Cumta's command centre if they have an issue with any motorist. The traffic police personnel at the centre will contact the local police station and send assistance if needed," added Jeyakumar. N Adiyaman, councillor of ward 105, said some individuals in Anna Nagar had converted designated parking lots into commercial spaces and now park their vehicles on the road. "The enforcement mechanism needs to be strengthened, and fines must be increased. There also needs to be greater clarity on the overall parking policy. Once on-street parking is regulated, dedicated parking spaces must be created to accommodate residents' vehicles," he added. During the public consultation, several residents voiced concerns about the shrinking pedestrian space and increasing traffic congestion in Anna Nagar. "Vendors have taken over the pavements, making it difficult for pedestrians to walk. Many have also encroached on public space," said Sandhya Vedullapalli, secretary of Federation of Anna Nagar Residents Associations. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
