Coimbatore Corporation is serious about parking problem

Even as Chennai was awaiting with bated breath the Supreme Court's verdict on demolition of three floors of The Chennai Silks, the Coimbatore Corporation sent a stern message, by rejecting a building plan, that things might no longer be easy for high-rise structures in the city.

Commissioner P. Muthuveeran tossed back a plan for a multistoreyed shopping complex at Ramnagar, pointing out inadequate parking space compared to the number of shops planned.

Chaos


He said the parking space marked on the plan would be just about enough for the vehicles of the shop owners and staff. Visitors' vehicles would have to be parked on the road and this would add to the chaos on Cross Cut Road. The proposed building is to come up on a site about 200 feet from this road.

The bylane is narrow and will not provide huge parking space. This will only lead to vehicles jostling for space once again on Cross Cut Road, which has very few complexes with parking lots.

By rejecting the plan, the Corporation has indicated clearly that it is seized of the parking space problem in the commercial hubs and that the root cause is building rule violation in almost all multistoreyed structures.

Existing structures


Yet questions remain over action against existing structures though the civic body may be bringing the plans for proposed structures under the scanner.

Two multistoreyed commercial complexes belonging to a single establishment, close to Cross Cut Road, continue to flourish, capitalising on such violations. One of the buildings has two basement shopping areas, while not an inch of parking space has been provided.

Shoppers to both structures slug it out for parking space on either the bylane or Cross Cut Road.

A year ago, the Department of Fire and Rescue Services mentioned the structure with basement shops in its report to the district administration on buildings that compromised on public safety. It warned that a fire or stampede could leave thousands dead.

Safety


"There is no point scrutinising the building plan alone. Check the completed building for violation or unauthorised construction and demolish such structures if they are public buildings and safety is compromised," says the secretary of the Coimbatore Consumer Cause, K. Kathirmathiyon.

Even as the Corporation plans multitier parking lots, frayed tempers among vehicle users on Cross Cut Road, D.B. Road and Oppanakara Street only point the finger at tall buildings that have brought about an enormous problem on the streets.


Courtesy : The Hindu