The commercial stretch and adjoining localities have nearly 2,000 shops and remain crowded with pedestrians and vehicles. Widened footpaths on both sides have reduced carriageway space, while autorickshaws, two-wheelers and cars regularly contribute to traffic bottlenecks. Customers frequently park on footpaths, weakening the project’s pedestrian-friendly objective.
Traders said Corporation officials had earlier assured them that parking for two-wheelers would be included under the plaza arrangements. They were recently informed that a site near Anna Poonga had been identified, but the proposal has not received a final decision. Traders have asked the State government and the Corporation to establish decentralised facilities at the northern, central and southern ends of the road rather than relying on a single location.
Suggested sites include vacant land at the BSNL office premises along MC Road, Kamaraj Park and its library, part of Robinson Park, and unused spaces within Corporation office premises. Traders have also proposed acquiring or leasing private land and developing a multi-level facility to address haphazard parking. However, a senior Corporation official said inspections near Robinson Park had faced opposition from park users and that alternative locations were being examined.
Royapuram MLA KV Vijay Damu said a site near Robinson Park’s compound wall could be considered. GCC Commissioner GS Sameeran said stakeholders would be consulted before a solution was finalised. He said work on the pedestrian plaza was expected to be completed by the end of November, while the parking issue remained unresolved.