Pics: Justin D'Silva

Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi

Udupi, Sep 22: Although Udupi city is developing day by day, the lack of adequate parking facilities continues to trouble residents and motorists.

Vehicles, including cars, are being parked along both sides of major roads and at important circles in the city, causing difficulties for the movement of other vehicles. Residents complain that despite demands for years to provide proper parking facilities in the city, the authorities concerned have not taken steps towards finding a solution.

Members of the public say that even when roads within the city limits are widened, vehicles are lined up along both sides, defeating the purpose of road expansion.

The road from the Coastal Bypass towards Adi Udupi was widened only a few months ago. However, vehicles are being parked along both sides of the newly widened road, resulting in traffic congestion.

The public also complains that cars and tempos are parked along roads where vehicles take turns from service roads onto main roads, causing inconvenience to other motorists.

At the Ambalpady Bypass, vehicles are being parked on the road itself near the point where motorists turn from the service road towards Brahmagiri Road. This is posing a risk of accidents.

On the one hand, motorists are being troubled by roads in poor condition. On the other, parking vehicles on the roads is creating additional traffic congestion problems.

Vehicles are being parked on the road from Kalsanka to Bannanje along the road in front of the service road area of Udupi city, causing inconvenience. The public also complains that vehicles are being parked dangerously on both sides of Chittaranjan Circle, Court Road and the road near Woodland Hotel.

Earlier, city municipal officials had stated that parking facilities would be provided at the site where the Visvesvaraya Commercial Complex stood near the old KSRTC bus stand in Udupi city. However, even though a month has passed since the commercial complex was demolished, no parking facility has been provided there, the public says.

Heavy vehicles, including trucks, are also being parked along the service roads between Kinnimulki and the Coastal Bypass, posing a risk. People have urged the authorities concerned to take action against those who park vehicles on the roads.

Udupi superintendent of police Hariram Shankar said, "Traffic signboards have not yet been installed on the road from Udupi city's Coastal Bypass towards Adi Udupi. It has come to our notice that vehicles are being parked on both sides of the road. Steps will be taken to allow parking on only one side of the road."

He also said, "As there is no adequate space for parking vehicles in various areas, including near the city bus stand, people are parking their vehicles on the roads. Steps will be taken to ensure that this does not cause traffic congestion."

Social activist Nityananda Olakadu urged the authorities to take action against those parking vehicles dangerously near various junctions in the city. "Vehicles are being parked dangerously near various junctions in the city. This is also causing accidents, and action should be taken against those who park vehicles there," he said.

"Parking vehicles on both sides of some roads in the city, including Woodland Hotel Road, is also obstructing the movement of ambulances during emergencies. The authorities concerned should take action in this regard," he added.

Udupi City Municipal commissioner Mahantesh Hangaragi said, "Traffic police and municipal engineers have conducted a preliminary joint survey and identified various locations in Udupi city where parking should be permitted and where it should be prohibited. Based on this, steps will be taken to provide parking facilities."

He also said, "A survey has been conducted to address the problems concerning footpaths in the city. The footpath-related issues will also be resolved shortly."

There is also a problem at the free-left lane at the Kalsanka traffic signal in Udupi, where vehicles are being parked on the road close to the free-left area, causing inconvenience to other motorists. People say that those visiting commercial establishments park their vehicles on the road, creating difficulties for motorists near the free-left lane.