Unauthorised parking of vehicles along Church Hill Road is encroaching upon the space set aside for walkers along one of Udhagamandalam town’s iconic boulevards.
The Church Hill Road, which winds its way up from Charring Cross to the St. Stephen’s Church, has been one of the most iconic sections of the town, most loved by tourists who make their way from the Government Botanical Garden and up the road to St. Stephen’s Church. As the vehicles block the walkers’ path, pedestrians are often forced to use the main road, said Lalitha Sukumaran, a local resident who takes the road regularly.
Residents complain that the walkers’ path is being encroached upon by vehicles, mostly cars, used by people who visit the restaurants, hotels and other businesses that have come up along the road.
Moreover, one side of the footpath, which is cordoned off to prevent vehicles from using the space, is damaged, local residents allege. Another resident who lives near the St. Stephen’s Church said that often, it is the government vehicles that are parked along the walkers’ path. “At night, the road becomes quite risky to use as it is a steep gradient, and vehicles descend from the church at high speed, putting pedestrians at risk,” said S. Karthik, another resident.
District police officials said efforts were being taken to stop people from parking along the road, and that fines were being imposed on people breaking traffic rules. “We have erected ‘No Parking’ boards along many places, and are wheel-clamping vehicles whose owners are flouting rules,” said a district police official.