Madurai corporation plans smart parking system at Mattuthavani

Madurai: To address persistent parking challenges in the busy Mattuthavani area, the Madurai Corporation has proposed a smart parking system under a public-private partnership (PPP) model. The initiative aims to streamline parking management, curb unauthorised fee collection, and enhance revenue generation.

The project prioritises improved parking facilities for two-wheelers at key locations, including the Mattuthavani bus stand, and the fruit, vegetable, and fish markets. Corporation officials stated that the plan includes modern features such as RFID sensors, boom barriers, and digital display boards to ensure efficient parking management.

Corporation commissioner C Dinesh Kumar outlined the project, saying, "We aim to implement smart parking similar to the multi-level facility near Meenakshi Amman Temple. RFID sensors will enable vehicle tagging and tracking, while boom barriers will prevent unauthorised entry. Digital boards will provide real-time updates on parking availability."

Tenders have already been invited for the project, with a profit-sharing arrangement between the private operator and the civic body based on competitive bidding, he added.

While the proposal has been broadly welcomed, some traders and customers have voiced concerns. N Chinamayan, president of the Vegetable Market Traders Association, urged the civic body to upgrade infrastructure before implementing the system. "Unloading goods is already a challenge due to inadequate facilities. With the onion market sharing the same complex, proper parking and unloading areas are essential," he said.

Customers also highlighted irregularities in parking fee collection. M Praveen Kumar, a frequent visitor to the fruit market, said, "Parking fees are inconsistently collected, which raises suspicion. Clear regulation and signage are necessary to address this issue."

The fruit and flower markets, which see a daily footfall of about 15,000 visitors, lack adequate parking for customers, often leading to disorderly parking.

The fish market, relocated to Mattuthavani from Karimedu during the Covid-19 pandemic, faces similar challenges. With a daily footfall of around 10,000, peak hours see unregulated parking and unauthorised fee collection. Ward 32 councillor Vijaya Moushumi emphasised the need for stricter oversight, noting, "Complaints about unauthorised fee collection persist. Proper tendering and monitoring can turn these facilities into significant revenue sources for the corporation."

Traffic activist T Nageshwaran highlighted the need for comprehensive parking management in light of upcoming developments. "The planned TIDEL Park on Melur Main Road will significantly increase traffic. The corporation must expand parking facilities across the area to handle the rising vehicle inflow," he said.

Parking Data Overview

Mattuthavani Bus Stand: ~3,000 vehicles daily; ~2,000 two-wheelers

Vegetable Market: ~2,000 vehicles daily; ~1,000–1,200 two-wheelers

Fruit Market: ~1,500 vehicles daily; ~1,000 two-wheelers

Fish Market: ~750 vehicles daily; ~300 two-wheelers

Features of Smart Parking System

RFID Sensors: Tags vehicles to track parking durations

Boom Barriers: Restrict unauthorised entry

Digital Display Boards: Show real-time availability of parking slots

Enhanced Security: Continuous CCTV surveillance

Centralised Data Integration: Monitors vehicle inflow, parking durations, and revenue