Free parking space proposal on government land in limbo in Kozhikode

A proposal earlier mooted by the Kozhikode City police to identify vacant revenue land along major city roads for hassle-free public parking has lost steam due to ‘poor coordination among government departments’. The initiative, once described as the most practical and low-cost option to address shrinking parking space, remains a pipe dream even as the city lacks a standard multi-level parking facility.

A police officer who had earlier worked on redesigning the city’s parking areas said the lack of coordination between the district administration and various government departments stalled the speedy implementation of the project. “There was even a list of probable sites that could have been converted into public parking areas without major expense. Many of them remain idle with no developmental activity. It is the tiresome technicalities that derail affordable projects like these,” he said. The officer added that there was still scope to revive the proposal as a lasting solution to the city’s traffic woes.

Meanwhile, Revenue department officials who had discussed the project with the police said complicated civil disputes over some of the previously identified properties had become a major hurdle. They said unresolved cases made it legally difficult to allot the land for alternative use.

“Accessibility is a key factor in designating space for public parking. The cooperation of local administrators will also be needed for safeguarding and managing such facilities. A detailed road map is essential for success,” said a Public Works department official who had attended district-level discussions. He added that both the police and local administrators had a crucial role in making the plan a reality.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Arun K. Pavithran said the police had already initiated measures to identify potential parking spots in cooperation with landowners, both government and private. “We were able to identify over 30 such properties in the city to meet future needs. However, securing revenue land remains a problem due to pending court orders in civil disputes. We are exploring other affordable and practical options to address motorists’ concerns,” he said. Mr. Pavithran added that the police had taken up the issue as a priority and that follow-up action would continue based on discussions with stakeholders.