Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)

Udupi, Mar 29: The increasing number of ‘No Parking’ zones in Udupi has become a major challenge for commuters and shop owners. The City Municipal Council sees the construction of a multilevel parking facility at the Udupi city bus stop as the only viable solution.

Unplanned commercial construction without designated parking spaces has forced customers to park on roads, leading to traffic congestion. To manage traffic flow, the police have enforced ‘No Parking’ zones, which in turn have created difficulties for visitors and business owners.

With vehicle traffic increasing daily, authorities have designated a ‘No Parking’ zone from Shiribidu to Kalsanka to prevent congestion. However, this has caused inconvenience to customers and financial losses for shop owners. Many businesses had to surrender their parking spaces during the expansion of NH 169A (Malpe-Molakalmuru road), leaving them with no alternatives.

While some areas allow parking, others remain restricted, raising concerns among vehicle owners who seek clearer regulations from the authorities. The lack of proper planning in commercial construction has further worsened the parking crisis, with shop owners depending on roadside parking for their customers.

To tackle this issue, the Udupi City Municipality has proposed a multilevel parking system at the city bus stand, expected to cost Rs 20 crore. The facility, planned atop the city bus stop, aims to ease daily traffic congestion and accommodate weekend crowds. The proposed structure will provide space for 300-500 vehicles and offer a seamless connection between the city bus stand and the KSRTC bus depot.

Udupi City Municipal Council president Prabhakar Poojary, speaking to Daijiworld.com, stated, “Udupi is growing rapidly. Plans are in place to develop parking facilities near the old KSRTC bus stop and the daily market, followed by a multilevel parking structure above the city bus stop and service bus stop. With Udupi being a popular tourist destination, parking has become a major concern. Once the Detailed Project Report (DPR) is finalized, we will decide whether to proceed under the BOT or PPP model.”