Parking lots to come up at Race Course to ease traffic

Coimbatore: The municipal corporation is exploring the feasibility of establishing parking lots at Race Course, where the model road project is in progress under the smart cities mission.
Corporation commissioner M Prathap inspected the ongoing work at Race Course with police commissioner V Balakrishnan on Friday. They discussed about the plan to set up parking lots, remove encroachments and enhance major junctions for better traffic management.
While a parking policy is currently being prepared for the city, sources said Race Course will soon have paid parking lots. The civic body and police will soon launch a survey to identify locations for parking areas.
According to official sources, several vehicles are parked for days along the Race Course Road, leading to traffic congestion. It can be addressed only by establishing parking lots.
“Parking issue persists along the Government Arts College Road and near the income tax department office. We plan to set up paid parking lots at those places and also along the Race Course Road. The initiative will help those who visit the place for recreational activities,” said an official.
Almost half of the project being implemented at Race Course at an estimated cost of 40.07 crore is complete. Remaining works including establishing parking lots and a traffic island at Thomas Park are being expedited, the official added.