THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The action of the corporation renting out public works department’s road for parking to a private hotel on the busy M G Road in the capital city, has stoked a controversy. The road of the Public Works Department was given to a private hotel for a monthly rent of Rs 5,000. The traffic advisory committee led by Mayor Arya Rajendran took the decision to rent the road to a newly opened private hotel in the Devaswom Board building opposite Ayurveda College on MG Road. The corporation secretary and the hotel owner signed the agreement in a stamp paper of Rs 100. Even the government has no permission to allow the road for parking under the Road Safety Act. The mayor’s act of renting the road belonging to the public works department for parking has courted a controversy.

After the agreement was signed, the hotel started blocking other vehicles from parking in this place. This has led to several arguments. When a dispute breaks out, the hotelier show the agreement made with the corporation.

Private institutions should arrange parking on their own. The corporation should also ensure that adequate space is there for parking. The corporation rented the road to a private individual over which the corporation has no right. BJP councillor Thirumala Anil said that legal action will be taken against the corporation's decision. The corporation officials said the complaints will be examined.