Chennai MC Road Pedestrian Plaza Nears Completion, but Parking Issues Persist

The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) is nearing completion of its pedestrian plaza project on Monegar Choultry (MC) Road in Royapuram. However, the lack of designated parking facilities for shop owners, employees and customers remains a major concern, more than two years after the project was launched in May 2024.

Traders Demand Dedicated Parking Facilities

Traders said GCC officials had assured them that designated parking spaces for two-wheelers would be provided as part of the pedestrian plaza project. However, the promise remains unfulfilled, leaving thousands struggling to find parking, particularly during the festive season.

R Mohamed Farook, secretary of the Madras Washermenpet Cut Piece Cloth Merchants’ Association, said officials had recently identified a site near Anna Poonga for two-wheeler parking, but a final decision was yet to be taken.

Traffic Congestion on Monegar Choultry Road

MC Road and its adjoining localities have nearly 2,000 shops, making the area one of Royapuram’s busiest commercial stretches. The widening of footpaths on both sides of the road has reduced the available carriageway space, making it difficult for vehicles travelling in opposite directions.

Autorickshaws, two-wheelers and cars frequently cause traffic bottlenecks. Customers have also resorted to parking on footpaths, undermining the pedestrian-friendly objectives of the plaza project.

Traders Propose Multiple Parking Locations

Traders have urged the Tamil Nadu Government and the Greater Chennai Corporation to allocate funds for decentralised parking facilities at the northern, central and southern ends of MC Road.

They suggested acquiring land through long-term leases or purchasing private properties to develop adequate parking infrastructure. Proposed locations include:

- Vacant land on the BSNL office premises along MC Road

- Kamaraj Park and its library

- A portion of Robinson Park

- Vacant spaces within the Corporation office premises

Royapuram residents have also called for a multi-level parking facility to regulate haphazard parking on MC Road.

A Sham, a Royapuram resident, welcomed the pedestrian plaza project but stressed the need for a multi-level parking facility to address the area`s parking problems.

Royapuram MLA KV Vijay Damu said a site near the compound wall of Robinson Park had been proposed as a potential parking location.

GCC Explores Alternative Parking Sites

A senior Corporation official said the civic body was exploring alternative locations but faced opposition from some Robinson Park users during site inspections.

GCC Commissioner GS Sameeran said the Corporation would consult stakeholders and work towards resolving t the parking issue. The pedestrian plaza project is expected to be completed by the end of November 2026.

The successful completion of the MC Road pedestrian plaza will depend not only on improved pedestrian infrastructure but also on providing convenient parking facilities for traders, residents and visitors.