Kozhikode's public parking crunch persists as vacant government land remains unused

Kozhikode city continues to grapple with a shortage of public parking spaces, as proposals to identify and utilise vacant government land have failed to gain traction. The traffic police remain dependent on temporary arrangements, especially during festivals and large gatherings, to manage the demand.

Earlier submissions by the traffic police and the Revenue department to map and open up unused revenue land for parking have seen little progress. This delay comes at a time when private parking operators are increasingly occupying properties along major city roads.

A retired traffic police officer, who was previously involved in designing affordable parking projects in the city, noted that several acres of unused revenue land lie within the city limits. He said that making optimum use of such land could ease the shortage without significant government expenditure, though the legal status and availability of each parcel would need to be assessed first.

Drivers' union leaders have urged a district-level directive for government departments to prepare an inventory of unused land under their control. They have also suggested demolishing dilapidated buildings on such properties, wherever feasible, to create parking spaces.

P. Raveendran, a retired Public Works department official, said local administrators should take the initiative to identify potential sites and bring them to the attention of the authorities. He added that privately owned properties along major roads could also be considered if available on affordable lease terms.

The demand for additional parking comes amid prolonged delays in completing multi-level parking projects proposed at Mananchira and the Railway Station link road. With government-backed facilities yet to materialise, private operators have expanded their footprint along city roads.

A senior officer from the city's Traffic Control team said enforcement against wayside parking can only be intensified when adequate lawful parking space is available. The officer stressed that cooperation from local administrative bodies is crucial, given the steady rise in the number of vehicles.

Revenue department sources said civil disputes involving some government and private properties have hindered a quick action plan. They indicated that further discussions are needed to resolve technical and legal issues and revive the earlier proposals.