The Indian Express                18.04.2013

Wildlife clearance — yet another hurdle faced by Sector 17 parking lot

The Municipal Corporation has been asked to seek clearance from the Wildlife Department before the construction of the multilevel parking lot in Sector 17 can be started. This is despite the fact that the chances of finding wildlife in Sector 17 are almost nil.

The proposal for construction of the multilevel parking lot in Sector 17 has hit several roadblocks since the idea was floated around three years ago.

Recently, after much delay, environment clearance was received by the civic body. The latest hurdle is that clearance must be sought from the Wildlife Department before the civic body can start the construction of the parking lot.

Officials of the MC rue that the rules should be modified keeping in view the place where construction has to take place. "The construction of the multilevel parking lot is to take place at the place where a paid parking lot already exists. There is no wildlife in or around Sector 17. It is a commercial hub. There should not be a need for wildlife clearance," stated an official.

MC Chief Engineer S S Bida, meanwhile, said that the MC has written to the Wildlife Department for the clearance to be given. A reply was awaited.

The three-storey basement parking lot has been planned to have a capacity of 900 vehicles. The proposal was mooted in 2010 and a ceremony to initiate construction held just an hour before the code of conduct for the municipal election was to come into force. Since then the project has been facing hurdles.

The building plans for the parking lot took almost two years to be approved. The plans prepared initially were rejected as it was opined that the foundation of the shops around the area would be affected due to the digging work for the parking lot. The parking lot was shifted by around 10 feet and revised plans prepared.

After the approval of plans when the construction was to start, the civic body was informed that environmental clearance would be required. While the MC applied, the term of the two committees that were to give clearance ended. It took several months for the committees to be reconstituted. Around a fortnight ago the clearance was finally received. The civic body is now facing this latest hurdle.

Shrinking parking spaces in the markets is a major hurdle. The construction of the multilevel parking lot was proposed to ease the chaos.