Chennai Traffic Police (East) have joined hands with residents and the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) to regulate parking in residential areas. As part of the initiative, they have beautified streets and are also planing to introduce parking permits.

They have jointly adopted Tactical Urbanism – a process to bring about change on the ground using temporary and quick interventions like ropes, makeshift furniture, planters and colours. “By placing such objects, the space that was earlier encroached by vehicles can be utilised properly. This will allow regulation of parking, space for pedestrians and for vehicles to pass easily,” said Nashwa Naushad, senior associate-urban development, ITDP.

As a pilot project they have adopted a few streets in R.A Puram, starting with Sringeri Mutt Road. “A lot of abandoned vehicles used to be parked on these stretches. Though we removed them, they kept coming back,” said M. Sree Abinav, Deputy Commissioner, East (Traffic).

A few weeks ago, the police along with the Tiruveedhi Amman Koil Street Residents Association (TAKSRA), which already has a disciplined parking system in place, first took up Sringeri Mutt Road and beautified it by painting the walls. “We spoke to the travel companies that were parking cars on the stretch and asked them to stop it. Along with the ITDP we are now marking the parking areas to ensure that people do not abandon the vehicles on the road,” said K.L. Balasubramanian, member, TAKSRA.

Once successful, they will take the help of the Chennai Corporation to redesign the road. “A street should be proportionately designed for parking enforcement to be effective. Sringeri Mutt Road is one such street which could be redesigned. Especially considering that this is a school zone, this will ensure safety for children and create a vibrant space for them,” said Ms. Naushad.