Old residential areas turning commercial spots also feel the heat

Some of the old residential areas now turned into busy commercial spots also reel under lack of parking space. Areas like Ram Nagar, P.N. Palayam, Avarampalayam and Tiruchi Road have become busy commercial areas where parking of vehicles is a concern.

Several shops, warehouses, boutiques, salons and restaurants located in these places are mostly functioning in old buildings and houses that are refurbished. However, these buildings too lack parking space.

In Ram Nagar, which has already become a semi-commercial area, most of the old roads are narrow which are further narrowed due to illegal parking. Customers visiting some of the restaurants in the area are forced to park their cars on the sides of the road as their compounds barely have space to accommodate even two-wheelers. Though No Parking boards are erected on some of the roads, the rule is often violated.

With more commercial establishments coming up in such places, the issue is expected to become worse. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Sujit Kumar said that the police are taking measures to address the issue within its powers.

He said that the no objection certificate from the police for new establishments like marriage hall, theatre, restaurants, hotels, etc., are issued only after verifying the parking space available.

“While permit for the building is issued by other bodies, the NOC from the police is issued after proper inspection of such places. There were instances wherein we denied NOC due to lack of adequate parking space,” said Mr. Kumar.

According to K. Kathirmathiyon of Coimbatore Consumer Cause, police should identify areas affected by illegal parking and declare them as no parking zone using its power. “It is the duty of the owner of the shop or establishment to provide the parking space for customers. Police should take stringent action against violators,” said Mr. Kathirmathiyon.