🧠 TL;DR
More than 27,000 people visited Semmozhi Poonga, Gandhipuram, in a single day, triggering severe traffic congestion on Nanjappa Road and nearby areas. Vehicles were stuck for hours, exposing gaps in traffic planning, parking arrangements, and crowd management. Authorities are expected to take corrective measures as visitor numbers continue to surge.
🏙️ Semmozhi Poonga Traffic Congestion in Coimbatore: What Happened?
Semmozhi Poonga traffic congestion in Coimbatore became a major talking point on Sunday after more than 27,000 visitors flocked to the newly opened urban green space at Gandhipuram. What was meant to be a relaxing weekend outing for families turned into hours of frustration for commuters and residents alike.
According to local sources, Nanjappa Road, one of Coimbatore’s busiest arterial routes, witnessed bumper-to-bumper traffic from afternoon till late evening. Cars, buses, two-wheelers, and auto-rickshaws remained stuck for long stretches, with minimal movement.
The situation highlighted the urgent need for better traffic planning around major public attractions in the city.
🌳 Why Semmozhi Poonga Drew Such a Massive Crowd
Semmozhi Poonga has quickly become one of Coimbatore’s most visited public attractions since its opening. With landscaped gardens, walking tracks, seating areas, and photo-friendly spaces, the park attracted:
- Families with children
- Senior citizens
- College students
- Tourists from nearby districts
Being a Sunday, footfall peaked sharply, catching traffic authorities off guard.
🚦 Areas Worst Affected by Traffic Congestion
The traffic congestion wasn’t limited to just one stretch. Major choke points included:
- Nanjappa Road
- Gandhipuram Bus Stand surroundings
- Cross-cut Road junctions
- Entry and exit points near Semmozhi Poonga
Several commuters reported travel delays of over 1-2 hours, especially during peak evening hours.
🚗 Key Reasons Behind the Traffic Chaos
1️⃣ Lack of Adequate Parking Facilities
Most visitors arrived in private vehicles, but dedicated parking spaces near Semmozhi Poonga were insufficient, leading to roadside parking that reduced road width.
2️⃣ Narrow Road Capacity
Nanjappa Road already handles heavy daily traffic. Adding thousands of visitor vehicles overwhelmed the existing infrastructure.
3️⃣ Insufficient Traffic Police Deployment
Despite the expected weekend crowd, traffic personnel were limited, slowing congestion management.
4️⃣ No Shuttle or Public Transport Integration
There were no shuttle services or temporary transport diversions to manage the surge.
The Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation is expected to review traffic management and parking arrangements near Semmozhi Poonga following the congestion.
🗣️ Public Reaction on Social Media
Residents took to social media platforms to express concerns:
- “Great park, but terrible traffic planning.”
- “Spent more time in traffic than inside the park.”
- “Coimbatore needs better crowd control for new attractions.”
Such reactions underline the growing urban mobility challenges faced by Coimbatore as it expands.
🏛️ What Authorities Are Expected to Do Next
Following the incident, civic officials are expected to consider:
- 🚓 Increased traffic police deployment on weekends
- 🅿️ Temporary parking zones
- 🚌 Shuttle buses from major junctions
- 🚧 Traffic diversions during peak hours
- 📢 Public advisories on best visiting times
These steps could help avoid repeat congestion as visitor numbers continue to rise.
According to traffic regulations and advisories issued by the
Tamil Nadu Traffic Police, crowd-heavy zones require special traffic diversions during peak hours.
🌆 A Sign of Coimbatore’s Growing Urban Popularity
While the traffic congestion created inconvenience, it also signals Coimbatore’s increasing demand for quality public spaces. Semmozhi Poonga’s popularity proves that residents value green, recreational zones – but infrastructure planning must keep pace.
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