Presence of multi-storeyed two wheeler parking lots at the Tiruchi Railway Junction and the Central bus stand notwithstanding, the ever increasing volumes of vehicles have rendered them grossly insufficient.
Vehicles virtually occupy every inch of these parking lots round-the-clock, causing discomfiture to regular commuters from distant places who use two wheelers to reach the junction and the bus stand.
On some occasions, the parking lot at the central bus stand overflows with vehicles and the gates are closed, much to the shock of the travelling public.
There is an urgent need for the construction of more spacious multi-storeyed parking lots in both these places with immediate effect, feels a cross section of the local residents.
The present multi-storeyed parking lots could occupy only a limited number of two-wheelers.
A majority of the two-wheelers are parked on the open space surrounding these parking lots. Not only are the vehicles exposed to hot sun and rain, their safety and security is also a big question mark.
During the peak hours, the two wheeler owners arriving at Junction and central bus stand in their vehicles find it difficult to find even a little space to park their vehicles. On some occasions, they even miss the train or bus due to the time it takes to park the vehicles.
The parking lot at Central Bus Stand was constructed only recently. The Corporation recently expanded the bus stand by acquiring adequate adjacent land from the Railways.
The Corporation should have thought of constructing yet another multi-storeyed parking lot in the bus stand taking into consideration the demand for holding more vehicles. There is adequate space for this, says S.Ilyas, a college student.
Even now, the Corporation should not delay this move. It should take steps for the construction of yet another parking lot near the bays marked for the parking of buses proceeding to Salem, Karur, he adds.
For any train commuter, Tiruchi railway junction is a full-fledged destination in terms of passenger amenities, comfort and infrastructure facilities.
The Railway Ministry, understanding the importance of the junction, has always been according priority for the creation of additional facilities.
The Railways has taken up a major project of setting up an additional entry at the Tiruchi junction. The project included construction of separate parking lots to accommodate 225 cars, 80 autorickshaws, 850 two-wheelers and 150 bicycles. This will ease the congestion in the two wheeler parking lot, says a senior railway official.
But commuters are of the view that taking into the account the growing traffic scenario, the proposed parking lots, in particular the two-wheeler parking area, will be inadequate.
Thousands of two-wheelers arrive at the Junction and the parking lot to accommodate just 850 two-wheelers will not help to ease the situation, they say.
