Madurai adopts policy for complete street design

The city council approved a policy package covering street design and parking, with initial projects planned around the Meenakshi Temple.

The Madurai Corporation council approved the documents in June 2026. They were prepared with ITDP India under a memorandum of understanding signed in January. The package comprises a Complete Streets Policy, comprehensive road and street design guidelines, and a separate parking policy. It was developed in response to congestion, inadequate pedestrian infrastructure, and disorganised parking and street vending.

The Complete Streets approach calls for streets to be designed for all users, with particular attention to pedestrians, cyclists and public transport passengers. The guidelines address footpaths and crossings, trees, utility and vending zones, carriageways, networks and stormwater drainage. They also set out provisions for organising parking and public street space.

The parking policy provides for managing parking through pricing, regulation and enforcement. Revenue is intended to support active mobility and public transport. The corporation plans to align the work with the city’s master plan through 2044. Areas around the Meenakshi Temple have been selected for initial projects.