The Greater Chennai Corporation has devised plans to introduce differential parking charges to manage on-street parking effectively, targeting congested areas such as T. Nagar, Nungambakkam, and Egmore. The proposed policy aims to reduce parking fees in multi-level car parks while raising charges for on-street parking in high-traffic zones.
The decision comes following a study by the Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA). This approach is part of a broader parking policy covering the entire Chennai Metropolitan Area, spanning 5,904 sq. km. Stakeholders, including the Corporation and the police, have held meetings to discuss this draft policy, focusing on treating parking as a “commodity.”
Once finalized and approved by the State government, the policy will be implemented, emphasizing the availability of public transport options like the Metro Rail, suburban trains, and buses to promote their use. The Corporation is also working to clear abandoned vehicles from roadways to create space for sustainable transportation modes.