Soon, exclusive parking lot for tourist vehicles in Srirangam

TIRUCHY: The Tiruchy City Corporation council on Thursday approved the works to establish a parking lot adjacent to the Yatri Nivaz in an area of 6 acres for tourist vehicles coming to Srirangam temple as part of efforts to ensure free flow of vehicles around the shrine.

The council meeting chaired by Mayor Mu Anbalagan passed a resolution for a separate parking lot for tourist vehicles in Srirangam. According to the resolution, the total population in Srirangam and Tiruvanaikovil, which constitute wards 1 to 7, is 1.02 lakh. Apart from local residents, at least 40,000 devotees visit both Srirangam Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple and Sri Akilandeswari Temple in Tiruvanaikovil every day.

An estimation of 81 government and private buses are being operated in this section while at least 90 vans and 200 cars apart from at least 50 tourist buses visit these places. However, there is no proper parking place for tourist buses. Following this, a 6-acre site adjacent to the Yatri Nivas was identified to set up parking lots for tourist vehicles.

According to the civic body, devotees can park their vehicles and either move around in the local vehicles or they can reach the temples by foot.

Since the approval from the council, the works would soon commence at the site, said Mayor Anbalagan. Similarly, the council approved the project for a bus stand in Srirangam in an area of 4,318 sq metre at an estimated cost of Rs 9 crore. The council has decided to send a detailed report to the municipal administration department along with a feasibility report and financial operation plan. The fund can be obtained as total subsidy or as a credit.