No more free parking in Chennai!

C Shivakumar

CHENNAI: Free parking of vehicles wherever you want may become a thing of past if the Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA) has its way.

According to sources, the State government is planning to bring in amendments to the CUMTA Act by incorporating a unified parking policy, that also includes fixing of fees.

Those parking vehicles on the roadside and other allotted areas will have to pay a “market-based fee” if the proposals are given green signal, the sources added.

The idea is to make optimal use of the existing parking areas, the sources said adding that parking meters, similar to the ones installed in T-Nagar, may be introduced in other areas.

The Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority, which held its first meeting after it got the State Assembly approval in 2010, is planning to bring in several amendments to the CUMTA Act.

Interestingly, Chennai Comprehensive Traffic and Transportation Study has suggested construction of multi-level parking lots at six locations. That includes construction of multi-level parking by Corporation of Chennai at Wallace Garden, Greams Lane.

Sources said the meeting also stressed on the need for a separate entity and dedicated funding for CUMTA.

CUMTA is also planning to enhance the visibility and image of Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) which is under-utilised, poorly designed and lacks maintenance.

The meeting also discussed the potential of the vacant built-space in MRTS stations to be exploited for improving revenue.

CUMTA is also exploring the possibility of introducing National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) ‘More’ as a common ticket to travel both in rail and bus.