No parking plan leaves Vandiyur Park roads choked

Madurai: The area around the recently opened Vandiyur Park has been facing parking issues, with visitors parking on main roads around the park as well as directly in front of the entrance, hindering traffic flow and access.The park sees nearly 1,000 visitors daily. However, in the absence of proper parking infrastructure, vehicles spill onto surrounding roads, leaving residents and commuters frustrated. "Not only are there so many vehicles parked on either side of the main road, but many of them also suddenly turn into the road when they're leaving the park, forcing others to apply the brakes quickly," said Shivkumar, a resident. The lack of designated parking has also led to two-wheelers being parked right in front of the main entrance, causing difficulty for visitors trying to enter the park, who have to navigate around the vehicles to reach the sidewalk. Shivkumar suggested creating a paid parking facility nearby. "Because of the number of visitors, especially as the heat increases during summer, there are going to be difficulties in finding parking. A paid parking space specifically for Vandiyur Park visitors could definitely alleviate the issue and reduce traffic and safety hazards around the park," he said. Vandiyur Park management officials said that security personnel are deployed to manage the situation. "Our security guard helps direct visitors to available parking spaces and ensures that vehicles are not parked in front of the entrance. We are also in talks with the corporation to add a paid parking space in a few months' time, as part of the next phase of the park beautification project," an official said. Balasubramanian, president of the KK Nagar Residents' Welfare Association, urged the authorities to allow free entry for early morning walkers. "Like Rajaji Eco Park, many residents wish to enjoy the natural ambience of Vandiyur Park every day, but hesitate due to the ₹20 entry fee," he said. A senior corporation official from the revenue department said the entry fee was necessary to meet maintenance costs. "We will discuss the issue and see what measures can be taken," he said, referring to the request for free entry for early morning walkers.