Lorries parked on roadside pose threat to motorists in Salem

Local residents demand action against lorry parking on highways in Salem, while lorry owners seek dedicated parking facilities.

Local residents have demanded measures to prevent the parking of lorries on the sides of National Highways and service roads within Salem Corporation limits, which pose a threat to motorists and the public.

Lorry owners, in turn, have appealed for a dedicated parking facility—an auto nagar—to address the issue.

The Salem-Chennai National Highway, Salem-Bengaluru National Highway, Salem-Coimbatore National Highway, and Salem-Namakkal National Highway that pass through the Salem Corporation limits witness hundreds of lorries parked on both sides of the highways or on service roads. Despite penalties being issued by the police, unauthorised roadside parking continues unabated.

D. Lingam, a resident of Seelanaickenpatti, expressed concerns about lorries parked on the service road in the area. He mentioned that this situation creates hurdles for people travelling to Erumapalayam, Sanniyasigundu, and Ammapet via the service road, particularly at night. He urged the police to prohibit the parking of lorries along the roadsides on highways to ensure safety.

State Lorry Owners Federation of Tamil Nadu (SLOFT) president C. Dhanaraj said the government has yet to develop a dedicated parking area for commercial vehicles. The existing Corporation-designated parking area at Kundusatti Lake in Shevapet has proven unsuitable, as lorries must pass through congested city roads to access it, and security there remains a concern. He called on the government to identify appropriate land parcels and develop auto nagars along highway corridors to facilitate proper parking. “Lorries are parked on the roadside only because there is no other viable option,” Mr. Dhanaraj said.

Police officials stated that they had warned lorry owners and imposed penalties on vehicles parked alongside the roads. They will continue to take action, they added.