In order to better regulate traffic along the crowded Commercial Road leading towards the Ooty Municipal Market, the Nilgiris District Police, with the cooperation of the revenue and municipality officials have begun clearing up a 750 meter stretch of road located opposite the market, which will allow visitors to park their vehicles without any hassles. It is hoped that the improvements will encourage visitors to shop at the market and also bring in more business to the small business owners in the area.
Speaking to The Hindu , the Ooty Town DSP, A Manikandan, said that autorickshaw and private taxi drivers had been using the stretch to park their vehicles. However, the police hope to reallott the parking spaces they currently occupy so that the stretch can be opened for parking private vehicles.
“Once fully cleaned and earmarked, around 200 vehicles, including cars and motorcycles can be parked along the stretch by people visiting the market,” said Mr. Manikandan.
Since Friday, the municipality has engaged workers to clean up the area. However, due to tensions in Coimbatore over the killing of a Hindu Munnani functionary spilling over to Ooty, the police have had to shift their focus on maintaining law and order. “We hope to open the stretch in the coming days,” added Mr. Manikandan. The police have also been facing stiff opposition to their plans by autorickshaw and taxi drivers, who are reluctant to give up the lucrative parking spots. Police, however, maintain that there is enough space earmarked for auto and taxi stands and for pick-up vehicles, and plan to push through with their agenda.
